December 2022 | Electric Rates

Posted: December 1, 2022 at 5:13 p.m.

“Engagement is the invisible force that guides our experiences and our decision-making. It is the bedrock of human connection.”

Electricity rates will increase in 2023. For residential accounts, the Daily Fixed Charge will increase 25 cents; and the kilowatt-hour (kWh) cost will increase from $0.08798 to $0.09326. For a residential member using 1,000 kWh per month, the increases amount to $11.28 per month. The increases are driven primarily by higher prices for natural gas and coal, the fuels used to generate most of SEMO Electric Cooperative’s electricity, plus the impact of cost increases (due to COVID and inflation) on poles, transformers, wires, and other items required to keep the lights on and fiber flowing.

No one wants to pay more for goods or services. SEMO Electric is a not-for-profit organization. We are a cooperative. Any profits are returned to members. The Board of Directors and Team SEMO take changing rates seriously. For residential accounts, this is the first kWh increase in 10 years. The residential price per kWh has been stable since January 2013. The Cooperative strives to control costs through technology and efficient work management.

For general service (barns, shops, wells, cabins, etc.) and commercial accounts, the daily fixed charge will increase 25 cents per day with a six (6) percent increase per kWh and an increase of $0.50 per kW (for those with demand charges). For industrial accounts, the daily fixed charge increase varies. The kWh will increase six (6) percent and kW will increase $0.75. Visit the Electric Bill & Rates Page for the rate schedule. We appreciate your support and trust as we push forward.

As a part of providing essential services to you, we share best practices with other cooperatives. Recently, Team SEMO’s Angie Byford and Jake Jones were invited to speak on behalf of SEMO Electric. Byford spoke to the Associated Electric Cooperative’s Women Amplifying Their Talents resource group. The program is committed to empowering women to reach their full potential by delivering programs that contribute to personal and professional growth. The kick-off event for employees called “Empowering Her Story,” featured several women who shared their career stories. Jones was invited to speak at the National Information Solutions Cooperative’s Member Information Conference. NISC, a leading provider of software and solutions to utility and broadband companies, brings together cooperatives from across the nation for updates on technology and issues facing the utility and broadband industries. Jones discussed how the Cooperative is using technology to enhance efficiency. I am proud each time a group calls and asks us to share. It is a great reflection of the people who serve you.

Book of the Month: “Engagement is the invisible force that guides our experiences and our decision-making. It is the bedrock of human connection.” The Seventh Level by Amanda Slavin Book

Be smart. Act safe. Keep pushing forward!

Sean is the CEO/GM of SEMO Electric Cooperative and GoSEMO Fiber.