Bluebonnet Lowering Rates
Decrease in Wholesale Electric Rates Reflected in Members Bills

(GIDDINGS, TEXAS) Beginning in mid-April Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative members will see a decrease in the Power Cost Recovery Factor (PCRF) portion of their monthly electric bills. The effect on
consumers varies according to their use, but the average homeowner who uses 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity a month will see a decrease of about $7.50. This reduction to the PCRF is due to a March 22nd decision by the LCRA Board of Directors to reduce their wholesale power rate. Last year natural gas prices were at record highs, and to reflect this increase,
Bluebonnet had to adjust its PCRF. The PCRF represents the difference between Bluebonnet’s set rate, and the price that Bluebonnet has to pay for power. With natural gas prices high it cost LCRA more money to generate power, and subsequently cost Bluebonnet more to purchase it. This recent rate reduction means that Bluebonnet will be paying less for power, and will be able to lower its PCRF to reflect that decrease. With a lower PCRF, members could ultimately pay less on their monthly bills.
Bluebonnet continues to partner with LCRA as our wholesale power provider, which is among the lowestprice power producers in the state, based on the most recent surveys. LCRA’s diverse power portfolio, which includes power from coal, hydroelectric, wind and natural gas sources, has helped it keep its costs lower than most utilities. LCRA has been a leader in developing renewable energy resources and currently supplies more energy from clean hydroelectric and wind power than any other community-owned power provider in Texas.