KUB scales back power rate increase

KNOXVILLE, TENNESSEE - A proposed electric rate increase for KUB residential customers this summer has been scaled down to $1.91 a month instead of $3 a month as originally planned.

In February, Knoxville Utilities Board officials told KUB commissioners that an electric rate hike that had been deferred for four years was now necessary in order to keep up with basic operations and maintenance of the electric system.

A $3 per month increase was proposed at that time, but when the KUB board met, Vice President of Finance Mark Walker said that through further costsaving measures, the increase could be reduced to $1.91 per month. The proposed increase will have to be voted on by KUB commissioners at the May and June meetings and if approved, would take effect in July.

In other action, the KUB board approved $14.8 million in appropriations for its electric and water divisions to meet anticipated needs beyond the fiscal year and approved the refunding of $22.2 million in outstanding gas, water and wastewater division bonds to achieve a projected savings of $1.6 million.