“Nashville Electric Service will postpone indefinitely starting a new program, called Change for Charity, that would have allowed its customers to donate approximately 50 cents per month to local charities. The plan, which would have taken effect in January, drew protests because NES customers had to opt out of contributing rather than opt in. ‘We received feedback from customers that they prefer opt in programs, like NES’ Project Help,’ said Decosta Jenkins, the utility’s CEO. ‘While this new program would have provided much-needed assistance to charitable organizations in our community, we are listening to our customers and will not implement Change for Charity at the present time.’ The program would have rounded up monthly bills to the nearest dollar. NES estimated it would cost most customers about $6 a year or a maximum of $11.88. But with 300,000 residential customers, it could have produced about $1 million for local charities.” [editor’s note: If the program was to be voluntary, with a POSITIVE checkoff to participate, BRAVO! Since it was to be imposed, unless the customer specifically forbade it, NYET! (recall how PIRG is so well-funded on college campuses) - SAT] (10/13/08)