(Bastrop) – Unusually cold weather in January and February has led to higher-than-normal electric consumption so far this year, which means high electric bills for Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative’s members. Consumption in January 2010 has increased 13 percent over January 2009, and February consumption is on pace for similar numbers, too.

 

“January’s temperatures were colder than usual, and the duration of the cold spells lasted longer than we usually see, both of which equate to high consumption and high electric bills,” said Mark Rose, Bluebonnet’s chief executive officer. “The cold weather so far this year has resulted in electric sales normally seen only during summer months.”

 

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative purchased 170 million kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity from its wholesale power provider in January 2010, compared to 150.3 million kilowatt hours in 2009.

 

“We are not through with winter temperatures yet,” Rose said. “It’s important for our members to conserve energy and manage their electric bills. Simple steps can lead to substantial savings in energy costs.”

 

For information on how to conserve energy and reduce costs, go to Bluebonnet’s Web site at www.bluebonnetelectric.coop, or the State Energy Conservation Office’s Web site at www.seco.cpa.state.tx.us. 

 

Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative is one of the largest electric cooperatives in Texas and has been serving its members since 1939. Bluebonnet serves 80,000 meters and owns and maintains 11,000 miles of power lines, located across more than 3,800 square miles within 14 Central Texas counties. Bluebonnet’s service area stretches from Travis County to Washington County and from Milam County down to Gonzales County. For more information about Bluebonnet Electric Cooperative, go to www.bluebonnetelectric.coop.