Goodfellow implements housing utilities 'Mock Billing' program Published July 25, 2012 By 17th Civil Engineer Squadron GOODFELLOW AIR FORCE BASE, Texas -- Goodfellow Family Housing residents should have received their first Utilities Mock bill by next week. This Department of Defense mandated program promotes energy conservation by holding service members accountable for utilities they consume and rewarding those who choose to conserve energy. Utilities billing is a program under which a portion of residents' Basic Allowance for Housing is set aside as a monthly utility allowance. The allowance is determined by averaging utility usage for like homes over a 12 to 24 month period. "Like homes" have the same square footage, number of bedrooms, one or two stories, construction quality, and energy efficiency. The monthly utility allowance for a given housing unit is determined by adding a 10 percent buffer on top of the average monthly utility usage. However, those who use more than their allowance will receive a utility bill. Mock billing is a period during which residents will receive monthly, no-charge utility statements showing their actual electricity and natural gas consumption compared to their approved utility allowance. Recording of utility data for mock billing began April 2 and will continue for six months, through Sept. 30. Live billing should include October 2012 energy consumption while receiving the first bill in November 2012. The mock billing period is intended to give residents an opportunity to understand their utility consumption patterns and if necessary adjust their usage prior to "live" billing. Goodfellow Family Housing will be using a qualified third-party utility billing company, Minol, to provide residents with a monthly utility statement. The statements will show actual consumption compared to the utility allowance, and also provide energy conservation tips. In order to manage this program more efficiently, payment of bills and credits will be subject to a trigger point of $50. If the amount owed to a resident as a credit or by the resident as a bill is less than $50, that amount will accrue to the next month. Once any amount owed by a resident or to a resident is $50 or greater, a bill will be generated or a rebate check will be issued. Residents have an option to opt out of receiving refunds and allow the refund amount to continue to accrue. If residents choose the opt out option, they can use their refund balance to pay their bill during the hot summer months and cold winter months. UTILITY BILLING PROGRAM HISTORY ■ In 1998 Office of the Secretary of Defense published guidance requiring servicemembers to be responsible for the utilities they consume. PURPOSE OF THE PROGRAM ■ Conserve natural resources and reduce our nation's dependence on foreign oil. ■ Re-invest energy savings into housing projects for improved housing renovations, community centers, playgrounds, resident activities, etc. ■ Reward Airmen for their successful contribution to the conservation effort. UTILITY ALLOWANCE (UA) ■ Established to set aside a portion of a servicemember's BAH to pay utility costs. ■ The UA does not eliminate out-of-pocket utilities expenses for all Servicemembers. ■ Exceeding the UA equals out of pocket expenses (payment of the difference between their actual consumption and the allowance). ■ Consumption under the UA equals reward (rebate equal to the difference between actual consumption and the allowance). ■ UA is recalculated annually and derived by taking the average utility usage from similar or the same floor plans. This "average" utility usage is then increased by 10% to provide residents a buffer and multiplied by applicable rates. Goodfellow Family Housing plans to host another town hall meeting prior to the beginning of live billing. For questions call (325) 651-8369.
