By Kevin Emerson
Utah Clean Energy

Effective June 16, 2009, Rocky Mountain Power customers who conserve energy during the summer months will be rewarded with lower electric bills. Changes made to the summer residential electric tiered rates promotes energy conservation and efficiency by charging a lower electricity rate when less electricity is used. The tiered rate structure works like this:

• If Bob’s family uses 800 kilo-watt hours (kWh) of electricity per month, Bob will pay 7.5 cents for the first 400 kWh used, then 8.9 cents for the next 400 kWh (totaling 800 kWh per month). Bob won’t have to pay the highest rate of 11.12 cents per kWh because his family didn’t reach 1,000 kWh per month.
• However, Bob’s neighbor uses 1,250 kWh per month in the summer so they will pay 7.5 cents per kWh for the first 400 kWh, 8.9 cents for the next 600 kWh (up to 1,000 kWh), and then $11.12 cents for the last 250 kWh (totaling 1,250 kWh).
   

There are numerous options available to help families to reduce their electricity consumption, including:

• Utah Clean Energy’s Home Energy Checklist
• Rocky Mountain Power’s energy efficiency programs and rebates - more…
• Home Energy Yardstick from the U.S. EPA 

If you’re not a customer of Rocky Mountain Power, read your bill carefully to learn if your power company uses tiered electric rates, which are intended to promote energy conservation, and ask if they have programs to help you save energy and money.