Surface Transportation Board Denies Coop’s Challenge of Shipping Rates
Posted on May 23, 2012 in Litigation, Rates | Comments Off on Surface Transportation Board Denies Coop’s Challenge of Shipping Rates
The Surface Transportation Board (STB) has declined to order two railroad carriers to charge a single shipping rate as requested by Arizona Electric Power Cooperative. In 2011, the STB issued an opinion in favor of the coop, finding that the railroad companies, BNSF Railway Company and Union Pacific Railroad Company, had charged unreasonable rates. The full text of the most recent...
Kansas Coops Become 100-Percent Borrowers of CFC
Meade-based CMS Electric Cooperative, Inc. and nearby Pratt-based Ninnescah Rural Electric Cooperative, Inc. have both closed deals to become 100-percent borrowers of the National Rural Utilities Cooperative Finance Corporation (CFC). Both coops cited CFC’s high level of customer service and the low interest rates and savings that CFC could provide by refinancing their existing debt...Electric Coops Get High Marks from Utility Customers in Annual Poll
Posted on Apr 23, 2012 in Corporate Governance, Rates, Reliability | Comments Off on Electric Coops Get High Marks from Utility Customers in Annual Poll
Electric cooperatives continue to receive high marks from utility customers, according to the latest reading of the American Customer Satisfaction Index. Electric cooperatives collectively earned a score of 81 while investor-owned and municipal utilities each received a score of 76. Natural gas distributor Atmos Energy and gas-and-electric supplier Sempra Energy were the two...
Minnesota Coop Members to Choose Method of Rate Increase
Posted on Apr 17, 2012 in Corporate Governance, Rates | Comments Off on Minnesota Coop Members to Choose Method of Rate Increase
Lake Country Power Cooperative, the electricity supplier for much of rural northeastern Minnesota, is asking its members to vote on how rates should increase to cover a projected $1.5 million shortfall. Unlike other coops in the area, Lake Country Power’s 48,500 customers are often located far off of the main lines. The coop serves an average of only six consumers per mile of line. ...
Approved Rate Increase for Kentucky Coop Less Than Expected
Posted on Apr 12, 2012 in Economic Downturn, Patronage Capital, Rates | Comments Off on Approved Rate Increase for Kentucky Coop Less Than Expected
The Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a $3.7 million rate increase for South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation (Kentucky RECC), less than half the amount originally applied for by the coop. Residential and small commercial customers will see an increase in monthly charges, but usage charges will remain the same. Citing current economic strains on...
Texas Coop Lowers Price of Power, Cites Low Gas Prices
Posted on Apr 3, 2012 in Rates | Comments Off on Texas Coop Lowers Price of Power, Cites Low Gas Prices
Historically low natural gas prices have again had a direct impact on electric coop rates. Texas-based Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative has lowered the cost of power for its members for the second time in six months, citing gas costs as the main contributing factor. Natural gas is used to generate about half of the electricity in Texas. (Subscription required for full...
Arizona Coop Seeks to Offer Prepaid Services to Members
Posted on Apr 2, 2012 in Rates, Regulation & Policy, Reliability | Comments Off on Arizona Coop Seeks to Offer Prepaid Services to Members
Mohave Electric Cooperative (MEC) is seeking permission from the Arizona Corporation Commission (ACC) to offer its members prepaid electric service. If approved, the service would provide pay-as-you-go service for customers who request it. AARP Arizona has submitted comments to the ACC raising some questions about MEC’s proposal, especially with regard to how the proposed service...
Florida Coop to Issue $13 Million in Equity Refunds
Posted on Apr 2, 2012 in Financing, Patronage Capital, Rates | Comments Off on Florida Coop to Issue $13 Million in Equity Refunds
Fort Myers-based Lee County Electric Cooperative will give customers almost $13 million in equity refunds or credits beginning in June. The refund checks will go to more than 48,000 customers based on the amount of equity they have in the system. Another 141,100 customers will receive credits on their bills. The News-Press has more here.
Coops Honored by J.D. Power
Posted on Mar 27, 2012 in Innovation/Efficiency, Rates, Reliability | Comments Off on Coops Honored by J.D. Power
Three of the 50 companies selected as J.D. Power 2012 Customer Service Champions are electric coops: Jackson EMC in Jefferson, Georgia; Sawnee EMC in Cumming, Georgia; and Southern Maryland Electric Cooperative in Hughesville, Maryland. The list was based on feedback from customers on what J.D. Power calls the “5 Ps” – people, presentation, price, process and product. Read more...
Revived Nuclear Site Bill Introduced in Missouri
Posted on Mar 1, 2012 in Legislative & Politics, Permitting, Rates | Comments Off on Revived Nuclear Site Bill Introduced in Missouri
A recently proposed bill in the Missouri Senate would permit Ameren-Missouri and its group of for-profit utilities and coops to charge ratepayers up to $45 million for the costs of pursuing an early nuclear site permit. Supporters of the bill hope to expedite the development of a second nuclear reactor in Callaway County by seeking an early site permit from the Nuclear Regulatory...
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