Gasoline prices may be getting cheaper at the pump, but homeowners will be paying more to heat their homes next month.
Electric rates for Chattanooga households will edge up 0.2 percent in December due to a slight increase in fuel costs as electricity demand has risen with colder weather. Combined with base rate increases, the typical EPB homeowner who uses 1,295 kilowatthours of electricity will pay $3.36 more next month than they paid a year earlier.
The EPB residential bill next month for those using 1,295 kwh will be $143.26, or 3.7 percent more than a year ago when the ratepayer uses the same amount of power paid $$139.90.
The Tennessee Valley Authority adjusts its rates each month based upon fuel costs and usage in recent months.
“The slight increase from November is due in part to higher sales, which led to increased fuel costs, than forecast in October,” TVA spokesman Scott Brooks said.