Opting out not as easy as it sounds

Editor, Index-Tribune:

In reading the response of Sonoma Clean Power to John Fanucchi’s letter about opting out of the SCP involuntary enrollment, I was struck by how radically different perceptions and understanding can be.

SCP describes the mailer we received as “attractively designed” to encourage people to open it. I perceived it as a sales brochure. It did include information on how to “opt out” of SCP service, but it took careful reading to find it.

SCP states that it allows us to choose to “stay with SCP. “In actuality, we were automatically assigned to SCP and our only choice is to cancel.

SCP states that that we will save 4 to 5 percent on our electric rates. However, SCP does not say that this is a projected saving based upon a business plan of a brand new government run business. My experience is that startup business plans that are accurate within a 4 to 5 percent range are exceptional.

SCP states that the electricity will be from “cleaner sources. ”However, the SCP definition of “clean” differs from what many people consider clean.

Finally, my experience with the SCP “opt out” procedure was less than simple and friendly. On my first try at calling SCP, the telephone rang for over two minutes, and no one answered. I tried again the next day, only to be asked why I wanted to opt out, which seemed to be the beginning of a sales pitch.

I made the effort to cancel SCP because I do not trust the SCP business plan projections or like being automatically enrolled in SCP so that I have to “opt out.”

Thomas A. Haeuser

Sonoma

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