Levelized billing on hold

By Staff, 06/25/18 2:47 PM

PRESCOTT – Customers of Prescott Water and Light won’t be getting the option of levelized billing for the foreseeable future.

Prescott Mayor Terry Oliver said after checking around with other communities offering the service the city started putting together requirements and quickly found the plan wouldn’t do what the city needs it to do because few people would qualify. One of the major drawbacks, he said, is to qualify for levelized billing a customer can’t have been late on a payment in the last 12 months.

For the time being, he said, the idea is being back burnered. Once the situation with Southwest Electric Power Co. (SWEPCO) is settled, it could be addressed again.

However, according to Oliver there won’t be any news on the electric situation until after Aug. 22 with the Federal Electric Regulatory Commission (FERC). In the interim, he said, the attorneys are working to see if a deal can be reached.

He said SWEPCO needs to decide if it will take on Prescott, Minden and Western Farmer, OK, altogether or separately. But, he added, the new person at SWEPCO is more willing to talk to those involved than the former person, and is working with Prescott’s attorneys.

Another bit of good news, he said, is the fuel charge for the city this month wasn’t the maximum. This is the first time in two years for this to happen.