Fuel prices affect more than the cost of
electricity.
Here’s what we are doing at Carteret-Craven Electric
Cooperative to help control other costs:
Our operation requires that we operate a fleet of vehicles
to provide reliable electric service. We are implementing conservation measures
to maximize efficiencies from our travel. We carefully schedule our work each
day to minimize fuel use. In addition, we have a team of employees examining
other ways we can further control costs.
We have begun to see dramatic increases in materials used in
construction. The most dramatic increases seen to date are in plastic pipe used
to protect underground conductors. Thankfully, our own material supply
cooperative, which buys materials for all the cooperatives in
You can help too. Our increased costs are driven, in part,
by the quantity of power we purchase. Through conservation efforts, you can
save on your own electric bill. There are two ways you can save. First, you can
implement conservation measures. Click here to learn more about saving on your
electric bill.
Second, you can carefully schedule your use of high
energy-use appliances. When you use electricity can also
impact the price we pay for energy. Because natural gas-fueled plants are
easily turned on and off, they are used to provide power during “peak times,”
those times when everyone is using the most.
During the winter months, peak times occur during the early
morning and again from