A smart way might be to use the Dow Jones industrial average, since you're talking about a long time here, and the expectation is that you could have realized that kind of yield.

That would be pretty easy to track. The total claim would be figured with a fairly common regression analysis technique. You would avoid trying to figure interest rates, opportunity cost of money, etc.You don't need to figure your claim based on simple savings ccount rates, and that way would be harder to figure anyway.

Figuring compound interest on a monthly accumulation over a 25 year period of overcharges would be pretty hairy. This way is much easier and more equitable. The yield would be what you would have made by investing in the stock market or mutual fund. You could just choose a mutual fund that has existed for a long time and track what today's value would be with the assumptions outlined above. You'll find a math nerd at most graduate schools who could figure the formula, and the result would probably not be questioned in court.

Please excuse the accountant in me, but that's my background. Call (859-253-0390) or email me if you need to discuss further. A lawyer or consumer protection ombusman (all states have them) could quickly find similar cases and use that as a basis for calculating a settlement. The one I read about several years ago used the Dow as the basis for the claim. You should also make a claim with the comsumer protection division of the state attorney general's office. They'll contact the utility, and the utility is required by law to respond to them and you in a specific period of time.


This may not be as big a deal as you think it is but I know it's a real pain in the ***!


Best of luck!

Former "Bean counter" Russ