At the regular Public Utility Commission meeting on December 13, 2022, the Commission approved rate increases for the electric and sewer utilities. Electric base and KWH charges will increase 6.5% for all users. The Commission also instituted an Energy Cost Adjustment that will be applied as an additional KWH charge for all users. The reason for this increase and the Energy Cost Adjustment charge is that Preston Public Utilities wholesale power provider, Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency (SMMPA), increased our wholesale energy charge by 15.6% and implemented an Energy Cost Adjustment for us as well. These increases are due to the very unstable energy markets over the last year. Sewer base and use charges will increase 6.25% for residential and commercial sewer users and 3% for industrial users. This increase is due to the age and many needs of our wastewater treatment facility. These increases will be effective February 1, 2023. A customer who uses 1,000 KWH of electricity and 5,000 gallons of water/sewer usage per month will see an increase of $8.27 for electric and $3.00 for sewer.
Electric – 6.5% rate revenue increase plus an Energy Cost Adjustment Charge
Residential customer base charges and use (KWH) charges will increase 6.5% plus the Energy Cost Adjustment
Commercial customer base charges and use (KWH) charges will increase 6.5% plus the Energy Cost Adjustment
Industrial customer base charges and use (KWH) charges will increase 6.5% plus the Energy Cost Adjustment
Water – no increase
Sewer – 6% rate revenue increase
Residential and Commercial customer base charges and use charges will increase 6.25%
Industrial customer base charges and use charges will increase 3%