Last Updated on January 23, 2014 3:12 pm
To help members with winter electric bills, the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation recently approved a temporary rate reduction for all members on February bills.
The typical member using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity monthly will see a $9 reduction. Overall, this reduction will save members of Blue Ridge Electric more than $1 million.
The reduction is possible due to lower than expected wholesale power costs and higher than expected electricity sales as a result of colder than normal weather in recent months. The reduction comes during a month that reflects higher usage–and therefore bill costs–due to winter heating, lighting and other factors. Members will receive a $9 reduction for every 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity used.
“As a cooperative, we're not in business to make a profit–we're here to provide service at the lowest possible cost to our members,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric. “In our service area, members use more electricity during these cold winter months so we're very pleased to provide this reduction at a time when it can most help our members.
“We hope this reduction, along with our free energy efficiency tools and steps that we know many members are making, will all add up to make a difference,” Johnson said.
Members wanting more information about the cooperative's free energy efficiency saving tools and tips can visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.