UCAN

This is something that we have pondered over for several years (since the crazy shortage years with $1200/mo electric bills). This is what I don't understand... why is it that they can charge us so much extra for going over if the baseline usage is intentionaly meant not to meet our need? And why can they charge us up to three times for some of our usage 100-130%, 130 - 200%, 200-300%? Lastly, why is it that I pay one rate for 24 days of the month and another for 5 days of the month, shouldn't they all be the same? We are a family of four in an area of southern California that routinely reaches extreme low and highs in temperature seasonally, myself and my husband both work full time so our house is EMPTY 8-10hrs a day five days a week! We do have a few luxury items... fish tank, extra TV's, rechargable toys...but we routinely go up to 300% over our baseline usage. We have changed out every lightbulb in our house to fluorescent (makes everything ugly) and spent the extra money for new "low energy" appliances and none of it seems to make a bit of difference! I feel like I'm getting ripped off every month for something I can't change. I did inquire before and was told the baseline usage amounts were set back in 1980, before electric phones, home computers, microwave ovens, VCR/DVD's and non-free TV reception! The other thing I was told was that it was the same for one person in a 1 bedroom appt as a family of 4 in a 3 bedroom house, how can that be!!!!