I now formally and officially hate dealing with a select coterie of utility companies.

I now formally and officially hate dealing with a select coterie of utility companies.  And no, "We computerized our system so we can't give you an answer," is not an acceptable statement.  I also have nothing good to say about the supposed convenience of their phone trees and automated phone systems for customer convenience.  I pity the real people who eventually have to answer to customers, though, if the customers can get to them.