Webster Electric to raise rates Oct. 1

The rate for residential and commercial customers will increase 9 mils – less than 1 cent – per kilowatt hour. Typical residential customers will see their monthly bills increase between $9 and $10.

The rate for large commercial accounts will increase by the same amount.

An increase in rates is necessary to fund an estimated $7.2 million in upgrades for the cooperative in the next two years to accommodate an increasing customer base, said Phillip Ragsdale, general manager, in a news release.

Higher wholesale energy rates also contributed to the decision to raise rates, he said.

Wholesale rates will increase this spring to pay for the construction of a coal-fired power plant and compliance with new federal environmental regulations.

Webster Electric is a member-owned cooperative serving about 17,000 customers in seven counties in southwest Missouri.