Understanding your energy bill

Customer charge

This is a fixed charge of $18.20 that covers the cost of supplying service to members’ homes. This covers costs that do not vary with changes in kilowatt-hour usage. This amount is fixed for residential members and can only be changed through a rate filing.

Kilowatt-hour charge

The current rate of 0.107543 per kilowatt hour covers the base cost to produce and distribute each kilowatt hour consumed by members.

Private outdoor lighting

This is a daily fixed charge that covers the cost of the light and the kilowatt hours the light consumes. The amount of the charge depends on the type of light. The light is not behind the member’s meter, so the light’s kilowatt hours must be added to the metered kilowatt hours to arrive at the total kilowatt hours consumed. The amount of kilowatt hours is defined in Kenergy’s tariff, which is available online and in every Kenergy office.

Power-supply adjustments

The following charges include power production costs incurred by Big Rivers, which is Kenergy’s wholesale energy supplier. The charges are passed through to members on their Kenergy bill, based on how many kilowatt hours they use.

Fuel Adjustment Clause (FAC)

This charge includes the cost of fuel to produce electricity at Big Rivers’ power plants. The fuel adjustment clause charge includes coal, natural gas, petroleum coke and start-up fuel used to operate Big Rivers’ western Kentucky power plants.

Environmental Surcharge

This charge includes the cost of environmental compliance equipment at the power plant and the various chemicals used in that equipment. When members consume more electricity, more chemicals are needed to comply with environmental laws; therefore, the rate is multiplied by the number of kilowatt hours each member uses.

Member Rate Stability Mechanism

As a not-for-profit power provider, Big Rivers gives a portion of its margins back to Kenergy members as a credit on their bill.

Non FAC PPA Rider

This charge includes the cost of power purchased by Big Rivers during times that power is purchased rather than generated by Big Rivers’ plants. This may occur if a power plant suffers a forced outage or if a plant is down for maintenance. This charge also includes hydro power Big Rivers purchases from the Southeastern Power Administration. Because this rate includes variable costs directly related to kilowatt hours purchased, the rate is multiplied by the number of kilowatt hours each member uses.

Settlement of Disputes

If you have questions or disputes about a bill or electric service, please contact Kenergy first.

The Kentucky Public Service Commission has a toll-free number for use by members who have questions about their electric service or with complaints: 1.800.772.4636.

Member Bill of Rights

The Kentucky Public Service Commission requires each utility to provide a copy of the Member Bill of Rights.