| reports that "high fuel costs are the number | | | | therm. Therms are the basic unit of |
| one concern reported by CFOs." Yet in spite | | | | measurement for natural gas. A few weeks ago |
| of this, few have taken steps.In a survey | | | | you could have locked in a price of $1 a |
| conducted by OPEN, the small-business unit of | | | | therm. Smart move if you didn't wait.What |
| American Express, two-thirds of small and | | | | else can you do? One secret is that the |
| medium-sized businesses are reporting that | | | | utility rates and regulations are open to |
| higher energy costs have had a significant or | | | | interpretation. What do I mean? Utility |
| moderate impact on their business.Alcoa | | | | companies provide you with a smorgasbord of |
| Aluminum recently closed a plant in Maryland | | | | different rates from which to choose. You may |
| because rising electricity costs force them | | | | have one or two, or ten different choices |
| to do business elsewhere.What can a business | | | | depending on where you live.This applies to |
| do if it doesn't want to shut its doors? | | | | not only your gas and electricity, but water |
| Fortunately, there are answers.Businesses can | | | | and sewage as well. In many parts of the |
| save on their utility costs in three ways. | | | | country water and sewage rates are going up |
| First, they can look at energy efficiency | | | | 20% or higher next year. Water and sewage |
| monitoring and equipment. For example, new | | | | rates have areas open to interpretation as |
| light fixtures. However, this involves | | | | well.If you accept what the utility companies |
| spending money that might not be recouped for | | | | give you, it's the same as going to the IRS |
| years. What can be done right now, and | | | | and just saying, "Hey I trust you guys. You |
| doesn't cost anything?There are two ways. | | | | look at my taxes and tell me what's fair." |
| First, a number of states have deregulated | | | | The point is you don't accept what the |
| natural gas and electricity, so you don't | | | | utility companies just tell you. You're the |
| have to buy that commodity from your local | | | | boss and you can say, "You're fired!"Robert |
| utility company. Sometimes it makes sense, | | | | Lansburg is with Auditek Solutions, Inc., |
| and the savings can be substantial, as much | | | | which monitors utility costs nationally and |
| as 20%. In other states, the savings are so | | | | advises client on how to save money. and can |
| minimal there's no point.What if you don't | | | | be reached at 415=354-6140, ext. 50. Lansburg |
| want to switch companies? You can also lock | | | | has been saving clients money for more than |
| in a price. For example, right now natural | | | | 20 years. |
| gas is selling for about $1.40 to $1.50 a | | | | |