Kentucky power bills increasing

KENTUCKY - Customers of rural electric co-ops will immediately notice a difference in the amount due on their monthly bills.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) accepted a settlement that permits East Kentucky Power Cooperative, Inc. to raise the company's wholesale rates to increase its annual revenue by nearly 7 percent, or $59.5 million.

Rowan County customers who get power from EKPC include those of Fleming-Mason Energy, Grayson Rural Electric Corp. and Clark Energy. These customers will pay close to an additional $5.60 per month. The rate increase took effect April 1.

"We understand that certainly in these times, with the economy in the shape that it's in, nobody likes to see increases in cost," EKPC Spokesman Nick Comer said. "We're doing everything we can to try to keep those costs low for our members."

Comer said the rate increase will actually save energy customers money in the long run. EKPC has been purchasing power from outside sources because of a shortage of generating capacity and unscheduled shutdowns at its generating facilities.

EKPC requested the rate increase to help pay for a new unit at its H.L. Spurlock Station power plant in Maysville.

"This unit is important to East Kentucky Power in meeting the demand for power in Kentucky," Comer said. "Members served by East Kentucky Power use double the national rate of energy. We've been looking at all our options in meeting that demand and managing that demand as well."

Comer said the 278 megawatt unit is one of America's cleanest coal-generating units online. The unit uses a technology called the Circulating Fluidized Bed process. CFB feeds limestone boilers, which results in low emission levels.

The new unit also is capable of burning renewable fuels. EKPC is working on a four-year study with the University of Kentucky to determine if switchgrass would be a good alternative source. Switchgrass is native to Kentucky.

EKPC asked the PSC for $15 million more in additional revenue on Oct. 31, 2008. The company negotiated with the Office of the Attorney General and the Kentucky Industrial Utility Customers and applied for the rate increase on Oct. 31, 2008. EKPC submitted the settlement to the PSC for review on March 13. A public hearing on the proposed settlement was held March 27.

Comer said he was not present but he heard that not many people from the public attended the public hearing.

EKPC provides electricity to and is owned by 16 not-for-profit distribution cooperatives, serving about 500,000 customers in 89 Kentucky counties.

Related News

hydro one

New Hydro One CEO aims to repair relationship with Ontario government — and investors

TORONTO - The incoming chief executive officer of Hydro One Ltd. said Thursday that he aims to rebuild the relationship between the Ontario electrical utility and the provincial government, as well as ties between the company and its investors.

Mark Poweska, the former executive vice-president of operations at BC Hydro, was announced as Hydro One’s new president and CEO in March. His hiring followed a turbulent period for Toronto-based Hydro One, Ontario’s biggest distributor and transmitter of electricity.

Hydro One’s former CEO and board of directors departed last year under pressure from a new Ontario government, the utility’s biggest shareholder. Earlier this…

READ MORE
offshore wind power

BloombergNEF: World offshore wind costs 'drop 32% per cent'

READ MORE

french-diesel-prices-return-to-pre-ukrainian-conflict-levels

Diesel Prices Return to Pre-Ukrainian Conflict Levels

READ MORE

hong kong harbour

Hong Kong to expect electricity bills to rise 1 or 2 per cent

READ MORE

COVID-19 Pandemic Puts $35 Billion in Wind Energy Investments at Risk, Says Industry Group

READ MORE