Electric rates to drop in April

By By Clif Knight, Hartselle Enquirer
Hartselle Utilities electric customers will benefit from a 7 percent wholesale rate decrease effective April 1, thanks to a combination of reduced fuel costs at TVA’s power generating plants, warmer than normal winter temperatures and a reduction in demand from local distributors.
This drop brings to 13 percent the amount TVA has decreased its rates since Jan. 1, following a 20 percent increase Oct. 1, 2008.
Sittason said factors that contributed to the rate decrease included a substantial reduction in the cost of natural gas, a reduction in the amount of high- cost power TVA had to purchase from outside sources and an increase in hydroelectric power production.
The rate decrease is being passed on to residential customers as has been the case with previous TVA cost of fuel adjustments,” Sittason said.
The new rate will become effective with April meter readings.