BURLINGTON — For the first time in 13 years, Lyon-Coffey Electric Cooperative customers will will have to pay more for their electricity. Beginning in June, a rate change will apply to all customer rate classes within the Lyon-Coffey system.
For some customers at least, the increase will be more than 14 percent. The average Lyon-County residential customer now pays $110.96 each month. Under the new rate, which will be reflected in June bills, the cost will be $126.52. The cooperative declined to give specific amounts for rate increases this morning.
“To maintain the quality, reliability and stability of the service our members deserve, it is necessary to adjust our pricing structure,” said Scott Whittington, general manage of the cooperative. “While virtually all aspects of today — cost of living — continue to rise, we have avoided routine price adjustments. Lyon-Coffey and its members/owners have enjoyed one of the longest periods of rate stability in recent history. Our job is to provide safe, reliable electric power in the most cost-effective manner possible and I believe we have done a great job in doing just that.”
Lyon-Coffey cites several reasons for the rate increase, the largest one is increases in the cost of the materials and supplies. Lyon-Coffey cited a few examples; the cost of a 35-foot utility pole has increased 99 percent since 1994, and copper prices have gone from $750 per 1000 pounds 13 years ago to the current price of $2,500.
The cooperative promotes energy-efficiency programs such as online home energy audits and the use of energy efficient products such as Marathon Water Heaters, heat pumps and compact fluorescent light bulbs.