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SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE - Michelle Beckwith is claiming victory after the public utilities board directed Northland Utilities to pay back overcharged customers and improve customer service.

"What I thought was my fight, became our fight," said Beckwith, a former Yellowknifer who now lives in Edmonton.

Michelle Beckwith was frustrated by huge increases in her power usage and little help from Northland Utilities. Her bills for January and February will now be reduced after a ruling from the public utilities board. - NNSL file photo

"Basically it's good news for everybody."

Beckwith's power consumption skyrocketed to nearly 4,000 kilowatt from 1,400 in February.

"I knew I didn't use that," she said in a telephone interview April 23, the day the utilities board released its report.

"When I'm paying a power bill that's higher than my rent - there's something going on."

Beckwith wasn't the only one. Joe Acorn, chair of the public utilities board, said he heard similar complaints from seven or eight customers.

Unable to get a satisfactory explanation from the power distributor, the board launched an inquiry Feb. 24.

Among its directives, the board ordered Northland Utilities to refund or credit three customers, including Beckwith and Yellowknife Fire Chief Albert Headrick.

They're also asking utilities staff to contact customers when they notice unusual swings in electricity usage.

"It's only right," said Headrick, who noticed his bill jump to $700 from around $300 a month. "They should be notifying you."

Headrick compared his bill to neighbours' in his condominium building. He called an electrician to test his hot water tank and wiring but found no problems.

When he had his meter changed, his bill dropped by half.

Beckwith also suspects her problems started when the company changed her meter.

Still, the utilities board is at a loss to explain why certain customers' electricity jumped.

"There was no evidence found that the metre equipment was at fault," Acorn said. "Ultimately, customers are responsible for paying their power - and in these three cases there was more Northland Utilities could have done to assist them."

Calls to Northland Utilities were not answered.

Despite the victory, Beckwith said she's still frustrated with how she was treated by Northland Utilities.

"They said, 'It's not our problem, it's yours,' " she said. " 'Your consumption went up because everybody's does when it's cold.'"

After looking up her bill history, Beckwith said even in the coldest months, her power usage in her trailer never surpassed 2,000 kilowatts.

She kept asking why her meter read differently than others, and never got answers, she said.

It's also frustrating her brother, who now lives in the home at Northland Trailer Park. He received a disconnection notice because of unpaid bills at the end of March. The utilities board had ordered no disconnections be made until the inquiry was completed.

Acorn sent a letter to Northland Utilities Monday asking for an explanation.

Headrick said his April bill went back to normal - and he hopes it stays that way.

He, like Beckwith, still doesn't know what caused a spike in his electricity consumption.

"I'll be monitoring it very closely," he said. "You'll be sure of that."