PEC seeking member input on rates, fees with survey, forums
FROM STAFF REPORTS
JOHNSON CITY — Pedernales Electric Cooperative officials are asking for co-op members’ input on rates and fees as part of a comprehensive cost-of-service and rate-design study.
The ultimate goal by PEC is to outline a draft-rate structure with different rates, fees and options. PEC officials, working with independent consultant Burns & McDonnell, will consider all feedback as they build a draft-rate structure with updated fees and rates. The cooperative will then ask members to review the proposed rate-structure options and provide additional feedback before the plan is finalized and implemented.
This process comes on the heels of PEC reducing rates in December 2014.
Co-op members can go online at www.pec.coop/survey from Jan. 28 to Feb. 28 to complete a survey or provide input. Members also may attend forums at various PEC offices, including at Cedar Park (Feb. 4), Junction (Feb. 11), Kyle (Feb. 18) and Johnson City’s PEC headquarters (Feb. 25).
The Johnson City forum also will be streamed live via www.pec.coop.
PEC will also be mailing surveys and forum information to all its members.
The cooperative will explore several different types of rate options, including time-of-use rates, prepaid rates, economic development rates, renewable energy rates and rates to encourage conservation. PEC will review its line extension policy and fees as well as rates, fees and buy-back rates offered to members who own small-generation equipment such as solar panels and wind turbines.
“PEC is owned by its members, and their input is an essential part of the study,” said co-op CEO John D. Hewa. But he added this study doesn’t mean rates are going up. “In fact, certain rates could even decrease. The purpose of the study is not to raise rates but rather to update our rate structure to help us better provide our members with the electricity options and services they need.”
editor@thepicayune.com
