you live in the US  i thought that was against the law, at one time it was that way in Maryland till BGandE started sending out bills that made no sense . then they had to explain what was up then the bills went back down then we got smart meters and some got 1200 bills then the state had to step in again . some law let them do it and they didn't have to answer to anyone at one point till the state wrote in a law that forced them to give up those books. some privacy law let BE and E do what they wanted with smart meters now they have to ask in open hearing for any increases , ask the customers if you want smart meters but with us we had to take it even if we opted out they put them in any way and got away with it for years now there is another law that might be sighed in here BG and E is charging you for not having a smart meter and some are getting pissed off which might happen and the nice thing about that law if it stops that fee, is they have to ask everyone with smart meters if they want them removed or not and BG and E has to foot the bill and eat if it passes but knowing the way they work they will figure out another legal way of getting what prices they want .