Local News
TVA to continue rate decrease
By Patrick McCrelessCullman city and county residents can expect lower power bills in July — the latest decrease in a trend that began at the beginning of the year.
The Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) recently announced it would cut its fuel cost adjustment rates by 4.1 percent on July 1. Combined with similar cuts made in April and January, the decreases offset a 17 percent rate increase TVA imposed in October last year due to the high cost of fuel.
“Seventeen percent was a huge jump in the fuel cost adjustment,” said Brian Lacy, spokesman for Cullman Electric Cooperative. “It’s now gone completely back to where it was (last year).”
For Cullman Co-op and Cullman Power Board customers, the 17 percent increase added an extra $12 to $15 onto their power bills each month, which will be negated by the July cut.
Lacy said with the latest cut, Co-op customers can expect a drop of between $2 to $5 on their bills.
Mike Manning, general manager for the Cullman Power Board, said the latest cuts will drop city rates by about $2.57.
“That will drop an average monthly bill of $72.71 to $70.14,” Manning said.
Lacy said TVA has been able to lower rates consistently this year due to the slow economy and decreases in the prices of coal and natural gas.
“Things are down a little bit right now,” Lacy said. “In the Southeast U.S., we’ve had some factories close and places go out of business, so demand is down. TVA doesn’t have to generate as much electricity, which means they don’t have to spend as much on coal.”
And since the area has received significant rainfall this year, TVA has been able to generate more hydroelectric power instead of using fossil fuels, which has lowered costs even more, Manning said.
TVA’s next fuel cost adjustment is scheduled in October.
“We don’t know if it (rate) will continue to go down until we get closer to that date,” Lacy said.
‰ Patrick McCreless can be reached by e-mail at patrickm@cullmantimes.com or by telephone at 734-2131 ext. 270.
- Local News
-
-
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Top-ranked Bearcats feel same old blues on road in Russellville
Four turnovers. Two missed field goals. Several blown assignments.
Not many teams can survive that many miscues in the playoffs. Top-ranked Cullman found that out Friday night, getting upended 42-14 at No. 5 Russellville in the Class 5A quarterfinals. -
Train vs. car, no one injured
Sean Hart, 32, had driven County Road 917 at least a hundred times to reach his Johnson’s Crossing home, but Thursday afternoon was different.
-
Wrong number leads to drug arrest
If you’re calling someone to set up a drug buy, it’s important to make sure you dial the correct number first.
-
Taste of Cullman event raises $8,000
The annual Taste of Cullman event raised approximately $8,000 for the Cullman County United Way Tuesday night.
-
School H1N1 clinics to start Mon.
Local schools will begin hosting free H1N1 swine flu vaccine clinics next week for elementary students.
-
Farm family recognized at annual banquet
Sam and Cynthia Black and family were honored as the 2010 Farm family of the year at the annual Farm-City Banquet Thursday evening at the Cullman Civic Center.
-
Annual Farm-City banquet Thursday at Cullman Civic Center
The Farm-City Banquet will be Thursday at the Cullman Civic Center at 6:30 p.m.
-
Commissioner takes Smith Lake water proposal to town council
County commissioner Wayne Willingham addressed West Point’s town council Monday evening regarding the county’s proposed Smith Lake water project.
-
LePard trial pushed to Dec.
The trial for Derrick LePard, a former Cold Springs teacher accused of extortion and attempting to produce obscene matter of a child, should move forward in early December.
-
County commission not satisfied with city Duck River contract
The Cullman County Commission will not sign onto the city’s Duck River water plan until certain aspects of the project contract are addressed.
- More Local News Headlines
-
