Minnesota Man Reports Massive Electric Bill
LAKEVILLE, Minn. (FOX 9) – An Xcel Energy customer in Lakeville is facing an overwhelming bill amounting to over $61,000 for electricity he claims he did not use. The energy company has stated that they will investigate the matter further.
Energy Bill Surges Past $61k
Terry Zeien, who has owned a hangar at Airlake Airport for over three decades, has seen his electricity charges soar after the installation of a digital meter last summer. Historically, his bills had never exceeded $40 per month.
However, after the meter installation, Zeien reports a dramatic spike in charges, with his bills skyrocketing to thousands of dollars. His account balance as of September 2 stands at an alarming $61,445.21.
Looking for Answers
Zeien has been in constant communication with Xcel Energy, making several calls but receiving little clarity on the charges. “Unfortunately, the people that try to help you are only looking at a computer screen,” he expressed, highlighting his frustration with the lack of direct answers. Xcel Energy had conducted an audit but could not find any discrepancies in usage or external theft of power.
His hangar utilizes minimal energy, consisting of 23 lights and a few appliances. Zeien suspects a potential issue with the metering system might be at play, as he has sought outside expertise confirming that such a high usage would be physically impossible for his setup.
Xcel Energy’s Response
A spokesperson for Xcel Energy indicated that they have been working to resolve the situation since January and confirmed that their team had multiple visits to verify the meter’s status and connections. They also mentioned that such high energy usage has been documented before for similar small properties.
In a recent statement, they acknowledged the customer’s claim of incorrect billing for several months and asserted that steps are being taken to resolve the issue.
Despite the ongoing bill disputes, Zeien’s wife has continued to submit minimal payments to prevent the disconnection of service. Zeien is considering legal options and filing a complaint with the Public Utilities Commission.
The situation remains unresolved as Zeien continues to fight against what he believes is an unjustifiable charge.
