Cuivre River Electric Cooperative calls for rate hike
January 23, 2008
The Cuivre River Electric Cooperative Board of Directors recently decided on an average 11% rate increase starting in April 2008. The new rate will be applied in April and will show on May bills.
Kevin Hurd, CREC Manager of Member Services, told sccworlds.com that this rate will be in effect as long as wholesale prices stay where they are. The current rate boost is CREC’s response to a 23% price increase of power from their wholesale supplier.
Regarding even more rate increases, Hurd said, “At this point in time, nothing is scheduled.” The Board of Directors will meet again later this year to review pricing.
What about alternative energy?
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative offers members the option of purchasing some of their monthly energy from renewable sources, though at a premium price. CREC charges an additional $2.50 per month for each 100 kwh block and asks for a 12-month commitment.
This energy is then delivered to the power grid. By participating in this program, the green energy that’s produced offsets power that otherwise would have been produced by traditional methods. About 450 co-op members participate in the green power program.
One method of alternative energy is wind. Currently, the co-op utilizes one wind farm of about 27 elevated turbines. Two additional wind farms of 25 turbines each are still under construction.
Cuivre River Electric Cooperative is headquartered in Troy, MO and is Missouri’s largest electric distribution cooperative. The co-op serves members in Lincoln, Pike, St. Charles and Warren Counties. There are approximately 34,000 CREC members in the St. Charles County area.
Copyright 2008 Neighbors About Town