British Gas RSE charge

Firelily

Hi all
I know this doesn't necessarily affect anyone on here (think it only applies to businesses) but I couldn't find anything via Google and wanted to vent my spleen at what appears a major rip-off! I work for a small charity and like other businesses we have to pay a climate change levy (CCL)-a tax on the energy we use. It's only 0.5p per kwh or something, so no big deal. However I noticed a new charge on our latest bill as 'Renewable Source Energy Charge'. After locating the 'Important changes to your bill' letter that I inevitably chucked in the recycling without looking at, I read through it and from what I can see, it's a charge that British Gas have made up, presumably to 'cover their costs' for using renewable sources. It's the same rate as the CCL but, unlike CCL, will be going into BG's pockets rather than the taxman's. The overall financial effect to us is the same, but I'm just irritated how they've sneaked in another revenue stream in the guise of being 'green'.:mad:
Basically I can't be bothered to query it (as I say, financially it makes no difference to us) but it annoyed me so much I wanted to tell someone!
If anyone's had any luck in getting BG to take it off their bill, let me know and I'll give it a go-as a charity, every penny helps!
Thanks all
Emma

Ich_2

How else do you think that the suppliers are funding the high unit prices being paid to other customers that have fitted solar power generation or wind power, than by introducing a levy on the rest of the customers!

gasmeter1

I called them and they told me I had been 'selected' to be supplied with green energy which is exempt from CCL but to receive the green energy I would pay the RSE charge which is a replacement for CCL. It wasn't til I pushed them that they admitted that this money goes to them 'to spend on green energy'. I was then told that if I didn't want the green energy I could opt out and pay the CCL instead. Presumably they will then 'select' someone else who doesn't mind them getting the money. Like you say they have found a way to redirect the tax money into their coffers to spend on green projects that they should be investing in anyway.

Perhaps they cut just could the salaries and bonuses of the senior executives instead and pass on the tax saving to the rightful recipients.