AUGUST POWER RATE DROP A BIT FROM JULY’S LEVEL

The power rate from Athens Utilities Board (AUB) for the coming month of August will decrease from the current $0.10200 to $0.10139 cents per kilowatt hour as TVA’s “summer rates” continue.

Even a small decrease is welcome, as summertime can be a high energy-use time for most AUB customers who run systems to keep them cool.

“This is the third month of the summer rate season, so we’ll only have one more after this.  The slight difference in the August rate compared to July’s can be seen in fuel cost adjustment from TVA,” said AUB’s Eric Newberry.

TVA’s summer rate period runs from June through September, and represents the highest base rate of the year, at $0.07568.

The fuel charge for August is $0.02571 per kilowatt hour compared to $0.02632 in July.

“It’s that time of year, when power bills go up because we have the summer rates, and everyone’s usage of power goes up compared to fall and spring.” Newberry said.

Still, this is the time of year when air conditioners and fans run a lot to keep your place cool, and that drives electric bills up, he said.

“Just do all you can to stick with the summertime protocols in your home.  You can stay cool while keeping your bills in check.”

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