TVA Fuel Cost Adjustment Could Increase UCEMC Bills

A Tennessee Valley Authority fuel cost adjustment could have Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation customers seeing an additional $20 on their monthly electric bills as early as this month.

UCEMC General Manager Jennifer Brogdon said that the unusual spike is mostly due to geopolitical events causing the increase in gas prices.

“Same situation with our wholesale power provider TVA,” Brogdon said. “And they have this mechanism that’s been in place for many years that goes up and down based on how much it costs them to fuel their assets with things like natural gas, nuclear power, etc.”

Brogdon said that the fuel cost adjustment is variable and changes every month. She said that the rate that goes up and down is something that UCEMC does not have control over.

Brogdon said that she believes the rate will continue to remain higher as long as the gas price trends continue.

“Of course, you only pay for what you use and if you use less than average you won’t see that $20 impact,” Brogdon said. “And you won’t see as big of an impact from the heat where we’ve been trying to keep cool.”

However, there are steps customers can take to try and keep their costs down. Among those include closing curtains to keep the sun out, and upping the thermostat by a degree or two.

Brogdon said from UCEMC’s side, they have decided to approve a rate reduction for the third year in a row. She said that they are doing what they can to help their members.