This week, Sawnee Electric Membership Corporation (Sawnee EMC) announced that its board of directors have approved a retail rate decrease that will affect energy bills sent out beginning on Jan. 4, according to a press release by Sawnee EMC. 

“The rate reduction will occur in the Sawnee’s Rate Schedule ‘R’, Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA), a billing component utilized in most Sawnee EMC rate schedules,” the release said “This action will affect all Sawnee EMC residential and most of its commercial accounts.” 

WPCA is a factor that increases or decreases to account for monthly fluctuations in Sawnee EMC’s wholesale power and other costs, the release said, The WPCA or “fuel charge” is a common practice used by electric utilities across the nation, and it provides a way to account for changes in the price of the fuels used to generate electricity and other factors which can increase or decrease throughout the year.

“As an electric cooperative, Sawnee EMC’s Board of Directors receives the WPCA on a regular basis, and adjusts it accordingly; which is an efficient practice when compared to a permanent rate change,” Vice President of Member Services Blake House said in the release. 

With the WPCA decrease, Sawnee EMC’s member-owners will see an average reduction of $17.50 per 1000 kWh consumed, the release said. As variables in the electric utility industry continue to change in the future, the Sawnee EMC Board of Directors will continue reviewing the WPCA and adjusting as needed. 

“It is important to communicate to our member-owners that Sawnee EMC’s Board of Directors and staff are always conscious of keeping the cost of electricity on the forefront of our minds,” President and CEO Michael Goodroe said in the release. “Many variables are considered when setting the WPCA factor, and when it is prudent to do so, we will pass these savings on to our members.” 

For more information or questions regarding WPCA or your Sawnee EMC account, contact the Sawnee EMC Customer Call Center by calling 770-887-2363, emailing customerservice@sawnee.com, texting 678-999-8124 or going to sawnee.com.