Tri County Electric

Information may not be reliable

TVA Converting to Demand and Energy Rates

The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) is converting from current end use wholesale rates to demand and energy rates. This billing change will increase costs to TVA power distributors, including Tri-County Electric. Effective July 1, 2010, Tri-County Electric residential members will see their customer charge increase by $4.73/month and small commercial members will have an increase of $7.50/month.
Tri-County Electric has not increased any rates paid by our member-owners since a previous customer charge increase in 2002.
"TVA's implementation of demand and energy rates forces the increase in our customer charge" said Paul Thompson, Tri-County Electric Executive Vice President and General Manager. "The Tri-County Electric Board of Directors and management understand increases are unpopular, but we are proud to have managed the cooperative for the past eight years without any increase to our member-owners. The customer charge adjustment reflects an increase of approximately sixteen cents per day for our residential members and twenty five cents per day for our small commercial members. We ask all of our member-owners for continued patience and understanding as we adjust to the new rates imposed on us by TVA."
Tri-County Electric remains committed to assisting our member-owners in reducing energy costs. We are participating in a demand reduction pilot program with TVA and many of our members have signed up to participate. Tri-County Electric also offers levelized billing, bank draft, due date selection and a pre-payment program to assist our member-owners in the management of their expenses.
Tri-County Electric Participates in Energy Efficiency Test Programs for Residential Customers
Tri-County Electric has been chosen as a test market of new TVA programs designed to promote energy efficiency to residential customers. During the market test, a limited number of residential customers in the Tri-County Electric service area will be able to participate in a program called the In-Home Energy Evaluation Program. It will offer a comprehensive in-home energy assessment as well as financing options and incentives to help homeowners who choose to make investments in significant energy efficiency improvements.
"We are excited our member-owners will have the opportunity to participate in the In-Home Energy Evaluation Program", said Paul Thompson, Executive V.P. & General Manager. Tri-County Electric is committed to taking steps to help customers learn how to use energy wisely."

The programs are part of an effort, which involved input from power distributors around the Valley, customers and the public regarding the best options for encouraging electricity users in the Valley to save energy. TVA anticipates Valley-wide expansion in spring 2010.
People wishing to participate in the market test should contact their local Tri-County Electric office for additional information.
To start saving energy and money on their power bills, Tri-County Electric member-owners may take a few simple steps, which include completing an online home energy audit at energyright.com or contacting their local Tri-County Electric office. Member-owners who complete the audit will receive a free energy efficiency kit to help them get started.
When used these energy-saving tips will reduce their bills:

Turn up your cooling system's thermostatover an eight hour period, each degree thermostats are set back can save 3% on heating bills and each degree they are set up can save 5% on cooling bills.
Lower the setting of your water heater thermostat.
Turn off lights, appliances, computers and other home electronics when not in use.
Replace incandescent bulbs with compact fluorescents, which use 75 percent less energy and last 10 times longer.
Use the microwave or toaster oven instead of a stove burner or oven for cooking.
Operate dishwashers and clothes washers only with full loads and after 8 p.m.
Take the energy right Home e-Valuation mentioned above, receive the free energy kit, use all the contents and save $2 - $4 per month.