Electric companies are responding after customers across the state reported higher-than-expected utility bills. Officials with Dominion Energy say a recent rate increase added about eleven dollars a month for the average customer, with another smaller hike already approved for next year. They point to rising costs for labor, equipment, and major upgrades to the power grid as key reasons. Meanwhile, Northern Neck Electric Cooperative says it hasn’t raised rates recently and blames most spikes on colder weather driving heating demand. Officials say extreme temperatures force HVAC systems to work longer and harder, especially when backup heat kicks in. Both providers are urging customers to improve insulation, adjust thermostats, and take advantage of energy-saving programs to keep bills under control.
ed@edhisted.com
Ed launched his radio career in 1975 and has spent more than five decades in the broadcasting industry. During that time, he has served in a wide range of roles including Air Personality, News Director, Sales Manager, Operations Manager, and General Manager at numerous radio stations in various markets across the country. Beyond on-air and management responsibilities, Ed has also worked extensively on the technical side of broadcasting. His background includes RF engineering and information technology, with particular experience configuring digital automation systems and remote voice-tracking platforms used by stations across the country. Ed was also among a select group of industry professionals invited by Google to its California headquarters following the company’s acquisition of Scott Studios. He was one of just 12 broadcasters nationwide chosen to participate in discussions and provide input during the design and rollout of Google’s digital broadcast automation platform. Although the majority of Ed’s career—spanning roughly four decades—was rooted in music radio, he transitioned into news and information programming in 2012. He says the move into spoken-word broadcasting was a natural evolution after decades of experience in multiple areas of the industry.