JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — City-owned utility JEA said you’ll be seeing decreases in your electric bill and increases in your water bill, depending on consumption, by October 1.
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How much will your bill change?
If you consume the same amount of energy:
- Water and sewer is expected to go up $5.75 in October compared to April.
- Residential electric bills are expected to go down $8.70 in October due to lower fuel costs compared to April.
But why is your bill changing?
We keep mentioning April. That’s when fuel rates peaked. How do fuel prices relate to electricity costs?
Power plants burn fossil fuels to generate electricity. That ties into another key reason for the rate changes: Plant Vogtle, outside Augusta, Georgia.
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“Plant Vogtle nuclear plant in Georgia provides clean energy to JEA customers,” JEA spokeswoman Karen McAllister said. “Our debt obligation to Plant Vogtle is one of the main factors in terms of our rate adjustments.”
In June, Action News Jax told you that JEA Board Chair MG Orender said increased revenues are needed to keep up with rising operational costs, primarily driven by plans to construct a new $1.6 billion combined cycle plant and ongoing upgrades to the sewer and water systems.
So how can you save on your bill?
According to JEA, the best way to save money on your bill when regulating your home temperature is to turn your thermostat to 78 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer for cooling, and 68 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter for heat.
You can visit JEA’s rebates page which helps you find reimbursements for home utility items like air purifiers, washers, or water heaters.
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