Kentucky’s major utilities, Louisville Gas and Electric and Kentucky Utilities, are proposing to raise rates – and the state’s energy regulator will hear feedback from residents at a series of public hearings next week, on Monday in Madisonville, Tuesday in Lexington and on Oct. 16 in Middlesboro.
Residents are urged to submit a comment about the proposed rate hikes.
If approved, rates would go up by around 11% on average.
Byron Gary, program attorney for the Kentucky Resources Council, noted some households could see their bills jump by $20 per month. He said even slightly higher bills disproportionately burden low-income residents working minimum- or near minimum-wage jobs.
“In those winter months when your energy bill is the highest, because it’s what’s keeping the heat running, and you get disconnected because you’re unable to keep up with those higher bills,” Gary explained.
The higher rates come at a time when many Kentuckians are struggling to keep pace with inflation. A new Pew Research Center poll found more Americans said they are shelling out more money for food, housing and consumer goods. At least four in 10 Americans said they are very concerned about the price of gasoline and energy.
Gary pointed out utilities continue to make large investments in fossil fuel infrastructure, which will continue to affect ratepayers.
“I would not be surprised to potentially see more frequent and large rate cases coming in the future as LG&E and KU seek to incorporate the costs of the new power plants that they have received approval for or are currently seeking approval for,” Gary cautioned.
Kentucky’s coal supply remains a primary source of energy. The Commonwealth is the fifth-largest coal producing state in the United States with nearly half of its coal production used in-state, according to a Kentucky Energy and Environment Cabinet report.
--30--
Written by Nadia Ramlagan. Cross-posted from Kentucky News Service.
Comments
