Sept. 1, 2005 – V.I. electric bills continue their climb upward with a projected increase of 3 percent coming in September.
The V.I. Water and Power Authority, announced in a press release this week, that it has adjusted the Levelized Energy Adjustment Clause (LEAC) factor for its electric and potable water customer billing, effective Sept. 1.
The release said this would raise the monthly electric bill of the average residential customer using 500 kWh per month from $118.40 to $122.01. The new potable water LEAC factor is $3.50 per kgal (thousand gallons) per month. This will increase the monthly bill for residential water customers who use 2400 per month from $44.97 to $46.96, which is an increase of $1.99 per month, or 4.4 percent.
The Public Services Commission currently allows WAPA to adjust the LEAC when fuel costs increase or decrease by $1.75 or more per barrel from the projected prices. WAPA is still required to petition the PSC for an increase or decrease to the LEAC every six months as it has done regularly over the years. The water LEAC factor was increased slightly in July but the electric LEAC factor has not increased since May.
Oil has recently topped $71 dollars a barrel and continues to create higher operating costs.
Customers are urged to use energy efficient practices to reduce their utility bills. Implementing regular practices such as, checking for leaky faucets, replacing incandescent bulbs with fluorescents, using fans instead of air conditioning whenever possible and using less water and cooler water when machine washing items at home will help residents save money.
In October the PSC will review the use of automatic LEAC increases by WAPA and decide whether they should be allowed to continue.
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