Electricity will cost more come October.
On Thursday, TVA’s board unanimously approved a 2 percent rate increase effective Oct. 1.
Officials say the increase is to help the utility cover a $234 million shortfall in its 2012 fiscal budget.
The rate increase will amount to about $1.60 on the average residential bill, said TVA Treasurer John Thomas.
“That’s about half the price of a gallon of gas,” said TVA president and CEO Tom Kilgore.
Thomas said TVA registered only 1 percent revenue growth in the past year, something he blamed on the economy and on tornado damage and plant shutdowns that forced TVA to buy replacement power.
TVA officials said Tennessee Valley power retail rates still rank the utility 43rd lowest among 100 utilities.
Despite the shortfall forecast for fiscal 2012, TVA officials told the board that fiscal 2011 to date has been good, and the utility is expected to end the year “with positive cash.”
Thomas said hot weather has driven higher sales and revenue.
Contact staff writer Pam Sohn at psohn@timesfreepress.com or 423-757-6346.
Pam Sohn has been reporting or editing Chattanooga news for 25 years. A Walden’s Ridge native, she began her journalism career with a 10-year stint at the Anniston (Ala.) Star. She came to the Chattanooga Times Free Press in 1999 after working at the Chattanooga Times for 14 years. She has been a city editor, Sunday editor, wire editor, projects team leader and assistant lifestyle editor. As a reporter, she also has covered the police, ...
The rate increase will amount to about $1.60 on the average residential bill, said TVA Treasurer John Thomas. “That’s about half the price of a gallon of gas,” said TVA president and CEO Tom Kilgore.
I guess when you simply raise your customers cost to cover mismanagement and lack of emergency funds, overly paid TVA folks, simply do not know the price of gas, Probably ends up citizens also pay for theirs as perk. Way past time for utility to be assured profits etc are assured, "just raise rates" and how much more will be added by local companies as they add a 1% here or there. Sad joke when called "Public Utility" as huge profits made by some playing this assured profits game.
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