TVA CHARGES TAKE MONTHLY RATE TO ANOTHER RECORD LEVEL

Power rates are going up again as a result of the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA) soaring monthly fuel charge.

TVA’s fuel charge for the month of August is $0.04855, up from the current $0.04031, and that takes the overall power rate to highest level it has ever been at AUB at more than 12 cents per kilowatt hour.

“We have said it before, and it is a simple fact, that it is key to keep in mind that Athens Utilities Board has not raised your power rate.  Not one bit,” said AUB’s Wayne Scarbrough.  

“The AUB rate for August is exactly what it was in June, at $0.07412 per kilowatt hour.  The local utility will not make an extra penny on this increase.  It all goes to TVA.  In fact, our local rate was the same in June and July, and it will be identical in August and September,” Scarbrough said.

So, if the August AUB rate is exactly the same as June and July’s rate, what is causing the increase in power costs?  The answer: TVA’s fuel charge is soaring.

The August TVA fuel cost is up some 146% compared to one year ago.

A year ago, the TVA charge was at $0.01973.  In the upcoming month of August, TVA’s charge is $0.04855.   When added to AUB’s base rate, the full cost of a kilowatt hour of electricity will be $0.12267.

“To have the full charge for a kilowatt hour of power at more than 12 cents is a shocker to all of us.   We hope that TVA can somehow get the fuel charge back in a range that our people are more accustomed to,” Scarbrough said.

For an AUB customer who uses around 1,500 kilowatts of energy in August, the TVA jump in cost will add about $15.00 to the power bill.  And this estimate doesn’t account for an increase in use.  If you use more than 1,500 kilowatt hours the increase could be even more.

“Some AUB customers have asked where they can go to have their voices heard on this, to talk to someone about the TVA fuel charge doubling in the last quarter versus a year ago,” Scarbrough said.

“TVA has a hotline you can call at (888) 289-8409.  A utility customer can discuss the charges with a TVA rep and hopefully can get some answers,” he said.

AUB customers also can email TVA at complaintresolution@tva.gov, or they can call the TVA Ombudsman at (865) 632-8133.

Customers have some measures they can take at their homes to keep their power bills in check.

“We have customers who want to keep their home at 68 degrees, and that is solely their choice.  It will come at a cost, but it is strictly up to homeowner.   But for those who want to shave a few dollars off of their bill we have a few standard tips to offer,” Scarbrough said.

Those customers are encouraged to make slight changes to their thermostats and home environments during the summer, when people are using more electricity to cool their homes.  

• Turn up your thermostat to 75 degrees.  Sixty-eight degrees feels great, but it will result in considerably more energy use and a notably higher cooling bill.
• Use curtains, awnings, or other coverings for windows to reduce solar heat gain from the sun.
• During the hot parts of the day (generally 2 p.m. until 6 p.m.), avoid using the oven.  If you’re making food, try using the microwave instead.  
• Use weather stripping on doors and windows to preserve cooled air and keep it inside the house.
• Ceiling fans can help circulate cooled air throughout the house.

About 83 cents of every dollar that AUB’s power division collects go to TVA for wholesale power.