By Shannon McFarlin WENK/WTPR News Director
Paris, Tenn.—Officials from the Paris Board of Public Utilities (BPU) appeared before the Atkins-Porter Neighborhood Association Wednesday night to give advice on something everyone cares about: how to save money on utility bills.
BPU General Manager Terry Wimberley and Business Analyst Charlie West presented a power point presentation, first explaining that the BPU is unique in that it’s owned by the community in contrast to other utility companies which are owned privately and are beholden to stockholders.
“That’s important to me”, Wimberley said. “As a public provider, we’re not in this to make a profit. The public power model is a model that benefits the customers the most.”
Wimberley said, “One thing I will tell you is that we’re good at what we do and I’ll brag on our people all day long. They really do know what they’re doing and they do it well. Most of us with BPU have lived in this community for a lot of years and we want to serve you.”
West said the best tool the public can have in saving money is knowledge. “There is no single one thing that you can do, but knowledge is power. Know your usage, know your house and know what your resources are.”
Both West and Wimberley emphasized that BPU has many resources available to its customers who are wanting to keep their utility costs as low as possible, including having energy advisors right on staff who will help customers.
“Not every utility company has energy advising on staff,” Wimberley said, “but we have two full-time energy advisors working for us that will help customers assess their energy use and how they can save money on their bills. And I would advise everyone before you spend any money on any energy-saving devices, call them and they can help you spend your money wisely.”
West and Wimberley recommended that all its customers use its SmartHub app and website to assess their own energy usage and costs. “That’s the most powerful information tool we provide for our customers. It tells you exactly how much utilities you’re using every day all day long. It even tells you how much is being used when you’re not at home so you can know how you can cut back and save money.”
The best advice they can give to the public, West said, “Be aware of your own usage. That way you’re in control.”
In other business:
–A-P President Ed Roberts said the first Little Library is nearing completion and will be installed in a few weeks near the entrance to the Atkins-Porter Dog Park.
–Formation of a Neighborhood Watch program for the A-P Neighborhood continues.
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