Temporary Rate Reduction to Help Members in February

Lenoir, North Carolina (February 10, 2010) – To help members with higher than normal winter electric bills, the Board of Directors of Blue Ridge Electric Membership Corporation recently approved a temporary, one-month rate reduction.

The reduction will be reflected on bills members receive in February. For the average Blue Ridge Electric member using a monthly 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity, the reduction will result in about a nine percent savings. In other words, members will save $9 on every1,000 kilowatt hours of usage on their February bills.

Colder than normal temperatures this winter has increased electricity usage, especially for heating, and has resulted in higher electric bills for consumers locally and across the country.

“Due in great part to the economy, people everywhere are struggling with higher costs for the things we all use on a daily basis,” said Doug Johnson, chief executive officer of Blue Ridge Electric. “Additionally, the extreme cold has created a situation of higher electricity usage and costs this winter. The Board felt they could offer this one-time assistance without negatively impacting the cooperative’s financial stability. We hope this temporary reduction, along with energy efficiency steps we know many members are making, will all add up to make a difference for our members,” Johnson said.

Members wanting learn more about how to save through energy efficiency measures, or for other helpful options such as budget billing, visit www.BlueRidgeEMC.com.

Blue Ridge Electric serves some 73,000 members in Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, Alleghany, Avery, Wilkes and Alexander counties.