Press Releases
COBB EMC ANNOUNCES RATE INCREASE
First rate hike in 15 years becomes effective February 1
(Marietta, GA – December 27, 2007) – For the first time in 15 years, Cobb EMC is raising its rates. The cooperative’s board of directors approved the increase which becomes effective February 1. For typical residential customers on the Cobb EMC system, this increase means they will pay about $4.84 more per month for their electric service.
U.S. Department of Energy Data since 1994 shows Cobb EMC has been able to buck a national trend that has seen electric rates escalate more than 28%. During the same period, the average rates for Cobb EMC's residential and commercial customers declined by 6%. The decreases came through a 10% reduction in Large General Service Commercial rates and a 6% reduction through the optional Simple Bill plan for residential customers. During this period Cobb EMC also rebated $33 million to its members.
The current increase was made necessary by escalating costs for wholesale power and other costs amid higher global demand for energy. The U.S. Department of Labor reports the Consumer Price index has risen 34% since Cobb EMC last increased rates. Just as members pay more for their cars, homes, and groceries, Cobb EMC must spend more on the goods and services it needs to continue supplying safe, reliable electric energy to the citizens within its service area.
For more information on the rate increase, visit www.cobbemc.com.
ABOUT COBB EMC
Cobb Electric Membership Corporation is a not-for-profit electric membership cooperative providing reliable electric energy. Formed in 1938, Cobb EMC started as an electric utility with 489 residential members and 14 commercial accounts. Serving approximately 190,000 residential and commercial customers, Cobb EMC is one of the largest of Georgia's 42 EMCs, and is among the largest of the nation's approximately 900 EMCs.
The Cobb EMC distribution system consists of approximately 10,000 miles of line located within Cobb, Bartow, Cherokee, Fulton, and Paulding counties in the north metro Atlanta area and Randolph, Calhoun, Quitman and Clay counties in Southwest Georgia. Cobb EMC’s distribution system covers approximately 1,434 square miles.
Our goal is to serve you reliable electric energy as well as give you helpful safety tips and help you to conserve energy.
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