Current Light Flashes

In last month's September article, I spoke about how to understand your monthly utility bill. A particular item I mentioned was West Florida Electric Cooperative Association's (WFECA) base rate. In the near future, this charge will be itemized separately on your utility bill for you to see. It is currently included in the line for Energy Usage.

What is a base rate, also known as the facilities charge? It is the cost associated with providing electric service to a member's location, whether it is a home, barn, business, well pump or even an electric fence. The cost is charged per meter each month even if there is no energy use.

Currently, the base rate for each residential account is $35.00 per month (not including any taxes). This monthly rate allows the cooperative to operate and is also used to maintain over 80,000 poles, approximately 5,000 miles of power lines, nearly 27,000 transformers and almost 30,000 meters!

Material purchased now and dating back several years is outrageously priced compared to before the COVID pandemic. Inflation has affected everyone tremendously, but we all keep hoping to see a decline in the near future. One thing that may help you, the member, is to make sure all your meters are being used. If you have a meter that is not being used, please contact WFEC by calling 800-342-7400 and ask for it to be disconnected. That's a savings of $420 per year (excluding taxes) that will stay in your pocket.

I pray everyone has a safe month.