By Joel Spears
Features Editor

ROGERSVILLE - According to a press release from Holston Electric Cooperative (HEC), the county's largest electricity provider, an unprecedented span of below-freezing temperatures will soon place an added chill on power customers' wallets.
        Larry Elkins, HEC general manager, said, "The shock of the frigid temperatures will be evident when customers compare their 2010 KWh usage for the month of January to prior years."
    According to the NOAA weather center, temperatures never exceeded 32 degrees F for the Tri-Cities region from Jan. 2 through Jan 12 - a record-breaking 11-day deep freeze for the area.
    During that time, the average daily high was 26 degrees F with an average low of 12 degrees F.  January's average maximum temperature is 45 degrees F with a low of 26 degrees F.  
    "While ensuring minimal disruptions to electrical service is our highest priority, sharing information to better understand the effects of the recent weather on energy consumption is a key goal at the moment," Elkins added.  
    HEC encouraged its customers to remember that the cost to keep homes and businesses at a constant temperature increases as the outside temperature falls.  
    "Furthermore, keeping the house warmer will boost the bill more," the press release stated.  "In fact, every degree above 70 degrees F adds 10 percent to the cost of heating your house."
    Sheila Fobber with the HEC Service Department said, "We are seeing readings double the energy consumption from December to January.  This means most of our members can expect to pay at least twice the amount of their previous bill.  Moreover, some of the readings are so astonishing that we are sending employees back out to verify accuracy.  We have seen a few residences with more than 8,000 KWh used for the billing cycle, which would mean the amount due would be approximately $600."
    Additionally, HEC representatives noted that the cold weather has pushed TVA to its limits.  
    On Friday, Jan. 8, the total daily energy was the highest in TVA history at 701 GWh.  With no relief on Sunday, Jan. 10, at 644 GWh, it was the highest Sunday total energy.   The total weekly energy was also a new record at 4,603 GWh, which is 200 GWh higher than the previous week, forcing TVA to issue a Conservative Operations Alert.  
    "There will be an overwhelming number of members who believe that their meters have been read wrong or are not working properly," Elkins added.  "However, meters which are not functioning properly actually slow down rather than speed up.  We want everyone to know that we are still working hard for our members, and this increase in your bill is a hard blow for all during these tough times.  If our members would like to review their usage from last year or discuss their bill, we are here to lend a hand."
    Elkins also said that it is important to make everybody aware that financial aid with an electric bill is available to consumers who meet specific criteria.  
    Hawkins County residents can visit the Neighborhood Service Center at 904 East Main Street, Suite 1 in Rogersville to obtain an application and determine their eligibility for assistance.  
    HEC customers in Hamblen County should visit Central Services at 2450 Old Highway 25E in Morristown or call (423) 586-9431.