East Kentucky Power Cooperative Files for Rate Increase

State Grants Rate Increase to East Kentucky Power

The Kentucky Public Service Commission, on Friday, 1-14-11, granted a rate increase to Winchester-based East Kentucky Power Cooperative (EKPC), owned by 16 distribution cooperatives, including South Kentucky RECC.

The PSC approved the rate increase for service rendered on and after Jan. 14, 2011. EKPC sought the rate increase to strengthen its financial condition and continue building equity.

“As a not-for-profit cooperative, South Kentucky RECC must pass along this increased cost from our power supplier EKPC to retail members,” said Ruby Patterson, SKRECC Vice President of Member Services and Marketing. “The increase is going to add about $4.25 to the average monthly bills of our residential members.”

The PSC conducted a public hearing on the case in December prior to announcing today’s decision.

Patterson added that the co-op urges its members to take advantage of the many free programs it provides that can help people reduce their consumption of energy.

“We can help members to improve the energy efficiency of their homes or businesses,” said Patterson. “South Kentucky RECC provides free energy audits, along with Button-Up, Tune-Up, and other energy-saving programs. We can help people pinpoint the areas where they can save.”

Most homes have many places where outside air leaks into the living areas, driving up monthly bills. In addition, older homes typically do not have proper insulation in attics and crawl spaces.

“The ductwork in the average home has 30 percent air leakage,” she said. “Leaks around your doors and windows often can be repaired at little cost, and that can dramatically improve energy efficiency.”

Patterson said that in some cases, using caulk can seal these leaks, and currently, South Kentucky RECC has free caulk for members available at its offices.

South Kentucky RECC also offers Simple Savings energy information bulletins and videos that provide step-by-step instructions to prevent wasting energy. The information is available at www.simplesavings.coop. Other valuable tips can be found at www.togetherwesave.com. In addition, South Kentucky RECC provides rebates to offices, stores, schools and other places of business that want to upgrade lighting, which will improve energy efficiency and cut costs.

“We will pay qualified businesses rebates to replace incandescent lights or large fluorescent lights that are set in fixtures with magnetic ballasts,” said Patterson. “Businesses and schools can get cash rebates for the improvements and save money on their monthly electric bills.”

For more information on these programs, please contact your local South Kentucky RECC office and ask to speak to an energy advisor, or call 800-264-5112.