Clinton County customers of South Kentucky Rural Electric Cooperative Corporation could soon see their electric bills increase, if the company’s recent request for a rate increase is approved.

According to a press release issued to the Clinton County News last week, South Kentucky RECC has requested a rate increase from the Kentucky Public Service Commission (PSC).

According to SKRECC, the requested rate increase would result in an overall revenue adjustment of 7.7 percent, and would take place over a two-year period.

Last week’s notice of the request for the rate adjustment, noted that “the first year, as proposed, would increase the average residential account by about $4.74 per month,” according to the press release from SKRECC Corporate Communications Coordinator Joy Bullock. “The second year, an average residential account would increase approximately $4.75 per month.”

The release went on to say that SKRECC had not filed to increase its rates in 10 years, adding that CEO Ken Simmons said it was not a decision that was made lightly.

According to Simmons, roughly 71 percent of the co-op’s total cost is to purchase power from its power supplier, East Kentucky Power. Simmons says the remaining 29 percent of the co-op’s total cost is what remains for operations.

“We do all we can to operate as efficiently as possible and delay the need for an increase as long as we can. This has been an ongoing challenge while having minimal growth and continuous price increases on materials used by the co-op to keep power flowing to our members,” Simmons said. “Compared to other goods and services, South Kentucky RECC has been able to keep its rates affordable.”

If the Kentucky Public Service Commission approves the adjustment, a 30-day notification period will follow before the new rates go into effect.

Members can therefore expect to see the adjustment, if approved, on their bills sometime mid-2022.

The press release noted that the co-op offered a number of programs designed to help customers manage usage and save money.

Those options can be found at the co-op’s web site at: www.skrecc.com