Shocking!

MLGW is the country's worst utility company. I'll buy that.

The Memphis utility finished dead last among the nation's 76 largest electric utilities rated for customer satisfaction in the J.D. Power report for 2005. On the firm's 1,000-point index, MLGW received a score of only 563 -- seven points below the total racked up by the second-worst-rated utility, the Long Island Power Authority, and more than 100 points below the industry average.

Pretty awesome, though, that craptastic utility companies are an experience that Amber "Schlong Island" Bryant and I can share. Awww.

I guess I can't complain too much about MLGW. Their rates seem about as ridiculous as anyone else's, but I will pay a good bit of money for the luxury of living with running water and electricity. I don't have the institutional memory of a lot of long-time Memphians who may have legitimate gripes.

MLGW's CEO, Joseph Lee -- "a former city finance official with no previous utility experience" -- doesn't understand why there would be such a high level of discontent with MLGW.

In its recently completed stakeholder report, which includes factors such as public trust and perception, MLGW reported a "total corporate score" of 91.6, up from the 86.8 average of 2000-2004.

Lee said the utility has vastly improved its call center and overall customer service.

"We feel very good about where we're headed...," he said.

...

"We're doing a lot of positive things, so I don't know who they (J.D. Power) are talking to," Lee said.

Lee may not understand customers' relentless negativity, but maybe it has a little something to do with the ridiculous perks enjoyed by the company's managers.

Egads.