Empire seeks five percent increase

Empire Electric, the Cortez, Colorado-based cooperative that provides electric service to the Monticello area, is proposing a five percent rate increase that would be effective on January 1, 2009.

Empire officials explain that Empire’s wholesale power supplier, Tri-State Generation and Transmission, Inc., is increasing their rates by 4.1 percent to Empire effective January 1, 2009. Empire is increasing its rates 1.9 percent to pass through this increase from Tri-State, plus a 3.1 percent general rate increase to recover the increasing costs of doing business. This total rate increase in rates will be five percent.

The new rates will go into effect on January 1, 2009. Electricity used in January will begin to appear on bills received in February and March.

Copies of the revised rate schedules are on file at Empire Electric Association, Inc. Office at 801 North Broadway, Cortez, Colorado, and are available for inspection during regular business hours.

Anyone who desires to complain about the proposed changes may file a written complaint at 801 North Broadway, P.O. Drawer K, Cortez, Colorado, 81321, at least 10 days before the proposed effective date.

The cooperative may hold a hearing to determine what changes will be authorized. The changes ultimately authorized may or may not be the same as those proposed and may include changes different than those tariffs proposed or currently in effect. Anyone who desires to receive notice of hearing, if any, shall make a written request at the above address, at least 10 days before the proposed effective date of the rate increase.