GRU to reduce electric, natural gas rates in November - Gainesville Sun

GRU to reduce electric, natural gas rates in November
Nora O'Neill

Gainesville Regional Utilities is set to lower its electric rates for November. It's the third time this year residents have seen decreasing utility bills.

The change, which is based on lower current and projected natural gas prices, are expected to save residential electric customers − who use 1,000 kWh − about $5 a month, according to a news release. The utility is also dropping its gas rates, saving the average natural gas customer 40 cents a month.

Compared to last year, those GRU customers are spending about $32 less this November due to the series of changes.

The change comes not at the direction of the new GRU Authority board but as a standard adjustment, GRU makes when regularly assessing fuel charges. GRU reduced rates in July, saving the average customer $15 a month.

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GRU's rates are the fifth highest in the state, according to September data released by the Florida Municipal Electric Association. Gainesville falls behind Florida Power & Light Northwest, Ocala Electric Utility, Duke Energy and Florida Public Utilities.

When compared to municipal utilities, GRU ranks second behind Ocala.

In March, GRU ranked first in the state for high electric bills, with averages teetering around $185.

The utility is set to raise electric rates 3% and wastewater rates 5% next year, moves previously adopted by the Gainesville City Commission. The change will cost the average electric customer $2.50 more each month and the average wastewater customer $2.25 more each month. Future moves will need to be made by the GRU Authority.