Camden City Council Suspends Electric Rate Increase; Fuel Adjustment Surcharge Remains

In a response to City of Camden utility customers' concerns regarding increases in electric bills, Camden City Council voted on July 26, 2022 to suspend the previously instituted ten percent increase on overall electric usage. However, at this time the Fuel Adjust Surcharge of $0.05029 per kilowatt hour (kWh) remains in effect. 

Over the last 12 months, energy services costs have risen approximately 12% for electricity and approximately 30% for Natural Gas. Natural Gas is used to produce electricity. From July 2021 to June 2022, the cost for the City of Camden to purchase power increased approximately 35% percent.

Bills beginning July 1 saw the ten percent electric usage increase, along with the Fuel Adjustment Surcharge. The Fuel Adjustment Surcharge is a direct pass-through of the costs that the City incurs buying wholesale power. It can fluctuate as a result of market demand and supply.  

City staff will continue to closely monitor the energy market so that timely adjustments are made to the Fuel Adjustment Surcharge, if necessary, in the future.