WREA electric rates to increase

MEEKER I Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association of Denver, Colo., which supplies all of the power for White River Electric Association, Inc. (WREA), will be implementing a rate increase and change the way it bills the 44 member cooperatives effective Jan. 1, 2013. According to a recently completed independent cost of service study done for White River, the methodology change and the rate increase results in a 13.97 percent increase in the cost of power to WREA. In addition, WREA will increase its internal rates 2.81 percent to cope with the ever increasing regulations and costs associated with the power industry. While WREA has had to pass on several Tri-State rate increases over the years, the last WREA internal rate increase was six years ago in 2007.
Effective Jan. 1, 2013, residential customers of WREA will see an increase of 12.59 percent. This equates to a dollar increase of $7.06 for an average household that uses 500 kilowatt hours per month. A kilowatt hour equates to burning a 100 watt light bulb continuous for 10 hours. WREA has many different rate classifications that will see different impacts from the increase. The increases due to the Tri-State’s changes and charges and the WREA increase have an overall effect of 16.78 percent.
Additionally, WREA has changed the fees associated with collecting delinquent accounts. Accounts that reach the delinquent status may be charged up to $150 if the service is disconnected for non-payment during regular hours. After hours reconnects will be charged an additional $150 to have the electricity turned back on. All payments must be received prior to the electricity being reconnected. Accounts that are having trouble meeting their electric payment obligations are encouraged to contact the office for information to avoid such fees.
White River Electric is a member-owned rural electric distribution cooperative that serves Meeker, the surrounding White River valley, portions of Moffat and Garfield Counties. White River Electric Association, Inc., strives to provide its member/consumers with safe, reliable and responsible electric energy and other services at the most reasonable costs possible while remaining committed to customer and community service. Office hours are 7 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Friday.