Kentucky electricity bills spike after winter storm, lawmakers advance some relief bill

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) – Kentuckians are seeing significant increases in their electricity bills this winter following the January winter storm and frigid temperatures.

Some customers report their bills are nearly double compared to recent months. Senate Bill 172, which addresses the sudden spike in bills, would help companies spread the cost of operations to customers over time instead of all at once.

The bill is the first to head to Gov. Andy Beshear’s desk this legislative session.

Ellen Roddy, a Kentucky Utilities customer of 15 years, said her family’s budget didn’t plan for significant changes to monthly utility costs. Her January bill was nearly double what she expected to pay during the winter months.

“So you have utility increases, you have rent increases, you have food increases,” Roddy said. “My boyfriend had been out of work for two weeks because of the weather, because he works outside, so it’s got him scrambling.”

Roddy said they usually use auto pay for utilities because the cost is consistent most of the time. After seeing that her usage went down but her bill went up, she wondered what was included in her monthly cost.

“Well, I did not know and did not realize and I think a lot of people don’t realize that we are being charged besides usage. We are being charged for the fuel and their extras,” she said.

Sen. Brandon Smith, a co-sponsor of Senate Bill 172, said the legislation would help regulate how companies transfer costs of operations to customers.

“Rather than get hit on big bill in one month, something that could topple your whole economic plan for your family, this lets you take it in smaller bites,” Smith said.

Smith said he hopes giving the Public Service Commission a longer window to recover fuel increases will help families immediately if passed.

“I just think it shows the priorities of where the session is. There are lots of bills down here right now, but this is what’s important to me,” he said.

Some of the spike in electricity bills is due to a rate increase. This year, Kentucky Utilities implemented an interim 11.5 percent increase that took effect Jan. 1.

On Monday, state regulators approved a lower fixed increase of 6.54 percent. The utility company has to give customers credit for January and part of February.

Kentucky Utilities also offers budget plans for customers struggling to pay higher electricity bills all at once.

Roddy said she was able to adjust her budget this time but hopes the potential change offers relief.

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