Off-Peak Electric Cost of Service to go Up

Northwestern REC has held steady on stable rates throughout 2011, while offering increased services and reliability. Your participation in the off-peak heat rate has offered you substantial savings over the regular residential rate. The Board of Directors at the November Board Meeting approved a rate increase effective with the January 2012 electric bills. The increase will show on your electric bill in the Cost of Service. Members billed under the off-peak rate will see an increase of $2 a month or a dollar per meter. Other rate classes will also show a small increase in the monthly Cost of Service.

What is the Cost of Service? This charge covers the fixed costs associated with making electric service available at your location. Items such as the wires and poles, billing systems, vehicles and metering are all necessary to be in place whether you use any electricity or not. The system is ready for you to flip the switch. The Cost of Service covers these fixed costs.

The kWh charges are associated with the amount of electricity you use. There is no rate increase to this charge. Energy efficiency and conservation can help you control this portion of your electric bill. Check out our Home Energy Suite at www.northwesternrec.coop for energy saving ideas and for information on other rate classes.