January 2015
matters MEMBERSHIP
A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ELECTRIC MEMBERSHIP CORPORATION
Temporary RATE
REDUCTION Members are receiving a rate reduction on January bills as approved by your Board of Directors. “We’re very pleased to be able to provide this savings to our members during a time of year when electricity use is highest due to winter heating needs, therefore resulting in higher bills.” said Chief Executive Officer Doug Johnson. As a not-for-profit cooperative, Blue Ridge Electric is able to provide the temporary rate reduction due to lower than projected wholesale power costs coupled with higher than expected electricity sales. Electricity use increased due to colder than normal weather in recent months. The reduction comes during a month when members typically use more electricity — and therefore see higher bills — due to their winter heating, lighting, hot water and other needs. Members will save $9 for each 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity used, which is the amount used by the average member. Overall, the rate reduction is estimated to save members a total of more than $1 million. “As a cooperative, we’re not in business to make a profit; we’re here to provide electricity at the lowest possible cost,” explained Johnson. “Our members use more electricity during winter months, so we’re very pleased to be able to provide a reduction at a time when it can lower bills the most and help our members.”
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