Florida Keys Electric Cooperative again urges consumers to use energy wisely
as natural gas prices continue to climb. FKEC expects the average electric
bill to increase by 13% over last month.
FKEC purchases 99% of its power from Florida Power and Light, and FPL uses
natural gas to produce approximately 40% of its power. Therefore, the record
high cost of fuel required to operate FPL power plants is reflected in
electric bills because FPL passes on its fuel costs directly to FKEC, and
FKEC passes them on to its members. Neither FKEC nor FPL makes a profit on
the fuel used to generate electricity.
According to the Energy Information Administration (www.eia.doe.gov),
Hurricanes Katrina and Rita "damaged, set adrift, or sunk 192 oil and
natural gas drilling rigs and producing platforms, the most significant blow
to the U.S. petroleum and natural gas industries in recent memory."
At the beginning of November, almost 53 percent of normal daily Federal
Gulf of Mexico oil production and 47 percent of Federal Gulf of Mexico
natural gas production remains shut in.
"FKEC wants to remind its members in the Upper and Middle Keys that the
higher November bills are again the result of rising fuel prices alone, and
not an increase in the base rate," said CEO Tim Planer. "FKEC's Board of
Directors and staff are working hard to minimize expenses and control costs,
but the price of fuel is beyond our control."
To help counter the increase in electric bills due to high fuel costs, FKEC
encourages its member-consumers to use energy wisely. For a free Home or
Business Energy Audit, contact FKEC at 852-2431 in Tavernier or 743-5344 in
Marathon.
