A MONTHLY NEWSLETTER FROM BLUE RIDGE ENERGY
matters MEMBERSHIP
DECEMBER 2016
Temporary rate reduction continues three more months Blue Ridge is announcing an additional three-month extension of a temporary rate reduction that began in 2014. The temporary rate reduction will continue through March 2017 when rates will return to 2013 levels. On January, February and March bills in 2017, members will receive a savings of $9 per 1,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity used, which is the typical monthly usage of a Blue Ridge residential member. Member savings will total $26.8 million from the temporary rate reduction implemented over the past three years and into 2017. The most significant savings occurred from December 2015 and continues through December 2016 as members received a rate reduction of $18 per 1,000 kWh used. In February through April 2014, and again in January through March 2015, members received a $9 per 1,000 kWh reduction.
BlueRidge-1216.indd 17
“Keeping our members' bills as low as possible is important to us as a cooperative,” said Doug Johnson. “We’re pleased that the cooperative has been able to reduce rates over the past three years and significantly lower members’ bills, especially during the winter months when usage and bills are higher due to heating needs.” Blue Ridge was able to provide members the rate reduction after industry forecasts for rising wholesale power costs did not occur. One factor was the effect lower electric generation fuels prices have had on the market. Another factor was reduced operating costs achieved by the cooperative. Member rates are expected to remain stable until 2018 with only modest increases for later years forecasted in our wholesale power cost.
11/9/16 3:10 PM