Wake Forest Power residential customers will see a slight increase in their electric rates when a new rate schedule takes effect September 1. It is Wake Forest Power’s first rate adjustment since a rate decrease in September 2016. Projected to cost the average customer approximately $5 a month, this year’s 4 percent rate increase is Wake Forest Power’s first since April 2009.
In December 2020, Booth and Associates presented to the Board of Commissioners (BOC) the results of a cost of service and rate study along with recommended changes to the electric rate structure. At that time, the board agreed to revisit and discuss rate adjustments in April due to the challenges presented over the past year by COVID-19. As a result, the implementation of the rate increase was delayed and included with the board’s approval of the fiscal year 2021-22 operating budget.
Under the old rates, customers paid $129.05 for 1,000 kWh – $113.10 for the power and $15.95 for the basic charge. Beginning in September, the bill for the same amount of power will be $133.95. The energy charge for power is $4.15 less, but the basic charge has been increased to $25.
In accordance with Goal 4 of the Wake Forest Strategic Plan: Maintain Fiscal Strength, the BOC plans to request another electric rate study within the next three to five years.
For more information, contact Chief Financial Officer Aileen Staples at 919-435-9461 or astaples@wakeforestnc.gov.
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One Response
I see this as a tax increase. I would like to know the reason’s for the increase. Covid 19 is blamed. However I only see the costs of having PPE provided to be an increase I am someone whose job was affected by Covid by having to work more. I sell frozen food into grocery stores and the general public demanded the same level of service and variety as pre-Covid. When they did not get it the insults and demeaning attitude showed. Especially in Wake Forest. Yet when I or anyone else in that business tried to do any sort of personal business, we were told it was Covid. This is the second tax increase in a year on me. The $21 a month in garbage fees is a tax increase as well. I believe the Commissioners have to start looking to cut items from the budget. Does this town need to spend $900,000 a year on communications? Does the town need to own and maintain all of its buildings including the SunTrust bank? Maybe take a look at salaries?