The Consumer Advocate says he’s receiving so many emails from people who feel their December electric bill is excessive that he simply cannot answer them all. Oddly though, a person who uses oil to heat his home told the advocate that even his electricity bill surged.

Dennis Browne says he’s hearing from customers of Newfoundland Power whose bills have doubled or nearly doubled.

He says the utility has told him that cold and windy weather is to blame for the higher bills.

He doesn’t understand why the company doesn’t set up a help line for customers to call and get direct answers about their bills.

“It’s Newfoundland Power that has to take action and tell customers ‘here is the number to call if you’re having trouble with your meter right now.’ The person who was on oil heat cannot understand why his electric bill has gone way up,” said Browne on VOCM Open Line with host Paddy Daly.