Electric bills around Kentucky and other parts of the US have been higher recently. There are several reasons this is the case.
Members typically see higher electricity bills when there are extreme temperatures outside due to the energy needed to keep your home comfortable. Even if you don’t touch your thermostat, heating/cooling systems have to work harder to keep homes at the temperature you set. Every degree difference from the outside temperature means your home’s system has to use more energy to keep up.
In addition to this normal increase in usage, there has been a significant increase in the Fuel Adjustment Clause (FAC) and Environmental Surcharge (ES). These two charges are not controlled by Nolin RECC and Nolin does not receive the money from these charges. Both the FAC and ES are pass-through charges from our power provider, East Kentucky Power Cooperative.
The fuel adjustment clause (or FAC) recovers a portion of the cost of coal and natural gas that is needed to operate East Kentucky’s power plants. When the cost of coal and natural gas increase month to month, as they have this year, the fuel adjustment also increases. So, when the price of coal and natural gas is lower, the fuel adjustment can be a credit. When their cost is higher, it can become a charge.
Energy Information Administration’s SHORT TERM ENERGY OUTLOOK released December 2022
Nolin RECC CEO Greg Lee’s column in Kentucky Living (September 2022):
Factors that impact your energy bill
What is the Fuel Adjustment Clause and why has it changed so much?
- A per kWh charge is figured into the base rate EKPC charges Nolin for power. The FAC is figured monthly by EKPC based on the actual cost of fuel. The FAC can either be a credit if that cost is below the base rate kWh charge, or a charge if the cost is above the base rate kWh charge.
The FAC on my bill has been a credit, now it’s a charge – why?
- The FAC can be a credit or a charge, it has been a credit since February of 2021
- The cost of fuel including coal and natural gas has risen significantly (natural gas prices are as much as 3.5 times higher) and this directly impacts the FAC.
- The FAC changes monthly due to the cost of fuel and the amount of energy used. Colder and hotter months will see more energy use (and, therefore, a higher FAC)
Other information about the FAC:
- The FAC charge on a Nolin member’s bill goes directly to EKPC, not Nolin.
- See below for additional Frequently Asked Questions:
