Long Island homeowners received a surprise on their recent KeySpan Energy bills, in the form of a charge for energy they did not use.

Labeled a "weather normalization adjustment," the fee is implemented when abnormal weather patterns knock KeySpan's income predictions off track. The state Public Service Commission, which oversees KeySpan's rate changes, voted in October to allow the adjustment. The fee takes the place of a rate change request, which the commission says is a costly procedure. Due to the uncharacteristically warm weather this winter, KeySpan is charging about $9 a month extra per household.

Residents are livid with KeySpan, which reported a $50 million income increase for 2006. They say people who work hard to cut down on energy use are being penalized because the company isn't making as much money as they'd like. KeySpan officials declined to comment to News 12 Long Island on the issue.