Hopkinsville Electric System customers and Pennyrile Electric members will see a significant increase on their bills, due to TVA nearly doubling its monthly fuel cost adjustment.
A news release from Pennyrile says families who use 1,000 kilowatts per month will see an average increase of $20 compared to July of last year. If you consume more than average amounts of energy, the increase will be higher; if you consume less than average, the increase will be less.
Brent Gilkey says the average home consumes about 1,300 kilowatts each month.
HES General Manager Jeff Hurd tells WHOP they are passing the same increase along to their customers.
Officials say TVA fuel cost refers to the cost of the fuels that TVA uses to generate electricity. Those fuels include the fuels that power the natural gas, nuclear, and coal plants that generate the power. T
TVA uses the fuel cost adjustment to help manage fluctuations in the cost of those fuels.
The fuel cost adjustment has remained steady for several years, but with global supply chain and inflation issues, it has climbed in recent months.
Pennyrile says those charges are determined by TVA monthly, and money collected for the adjustment is paid directly to TVA.
The cooperative says the best way to conserve energy and reduce your bill is to raise your thermostat, especially during the hottest hours of the day.
You can also do things like turning off lights and unplugging unnecessary electrical appliances, keeping curtains and blinds closed and washing full loads of laundry and dishes.
For those who may need help paying their electric bill, financial assistance may be available. See the resources below for assistance:
Team Kentucky Homeowners Assistance Fund: teamkyhaf.gov
Healthy at Home Eviction Relief Fund: teamkyhherf.ky.gov
PACS 270-885-4959 (Christian County)
Aaron McNeil 270-886-9734 (Christian County)
PACS 270-338-5080 (Muhlenberg County)
Helping Hands 270-522-1001 (Trigg County)
PACS 270-522-3265 (Trigg County)
PACS 270-388-2171 Lyon County)
PACS 270-365-7446 (Caldwell County)
PACS 270-265-5422 (Todd County)
Interfaith Center 270-265-3948 (Todd County)
Southern KY Community Action Agency 270-726-2459 (Logan, Butler & Simpson Counties)
Logan County Good Samaritan 270-725-9002 (Logan County)