Wholesale Rate Adjustment Sought by Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation
Arkansas Electric Cooperative Corporation (AECC), the wholesale power provider for Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative (RMEC) filed a request with the Arkansas Public Service Commission (APSC) in December for a wholesale rate adjustment of 3%.
The adjustment was requested due to increased costs to provide wholesale generation and transmission service to RMEC and the other 16 electric distribution cooperatives in the state. Higher operation and maintenance expenses, above-average economic inflation and preparation for the forced early retirement of coal generation stations have put upward cost pressure on AECC.
If approved by APSC, RMEC estimates that the adjustment would, on average, increase a residential member's bill by approximately $3.15 per month. The revenue from the rate adjustment would be applied directly to wholesale power charges only. This adjustment is for wholesale costs and will not provide any direct financial gain to RMEC.
As a cooperative, it is RMEC's obligation to be transparent and up-front with its members, most important are financial impact issues. If approved, this adjustment will go into effect for RMEC members on April 1, reflecting on the April billing cycle's energy usage. RMEC is committed to helping your families, farms, and businesses grow and prosper for many years to come. Rich Mountain Electric Cooperative's mission remains to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity to YOU - our members!
