Elk River Municipal Utilities Rate Information

Elk River Municipal Utilities strives to provide our customers with reliable and safe electric and water services, in an environmentally responsible manner, at competitive rates. Those rates, however, continue to go up. Wholesale power accounts for over 70% of our costs. Due to the increased cost of wholesale power, we are forced to pass on this increase to you. The average 2010 electric rate increase in 5%. Approximate impact to customers with typical usage for the following rate classes is 5.0% residential, 5.7% non-demand, and 4.7% demand. The water rate is remaining unchanged for 2010. The commission will be reviewing your water rates in the second quarter, after completion of a rate study.

While rate increases aren’t desirable, there are ways you can control costs.  Consider using more efficient lighting such as Compact Fluorescent Lamps (CFLs), and when you purchase new electric appliances, specify those that are “energy star” compliant. Keep the cooling coils on your refrigerators and air conditioners clean, and turn items off when not in use.  Maybe you can even eliminate one of those refrigerators!  Learn about phantom loads.  These are electronic loads that continue to consume electricity when you think you have turned the device off.  The U.S. Department of Energy states that 26% of the electricity consumed in homes today is used by computers, TVs, sound systems, DVD and VCR players, battery chargers, and electronic displays on devices that are not even in use but still consume electricity because they are plugged in.  Google phantom loads, and you may be surprised how much you can save. If you don’t have access to the Internet, contact us and we will send you the information.

Watch for money saving offers included with your utility bills. They include coupons for purchasing CFLs, Air Conditioner Tune-up reimbursement, energy star appliance rebates and air conditioning rebates as well as other tips on how to save electricity and water.

Thanks for your understanding and for getting serious about conserving our dwindling natural resources – let’s save some for our kids!