TVA power bills heading upward

NORTH MISSISSIPPI — A third straight monthly increase in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s (TVA’s) monthly fuel rate means residential bills will go up by an average of $1, starting in May.

The utility’s fuel cost adjustment for billing periods starting May 1 means residential monthly bills will increase between 50 cents and $1.50, depending on usage levels.

The 1 percent increase follows a 5.9 percent increase in April after a 5.3 percent increase for March.

TVA said in a statement April 12 that a fuel cost adjustment credit that customers have received since October continues to be used up.

About half of TVA’s electricity comes from coal, oil and natural gas.

TVA has nearly nine million consumers in Tennessee, Alabama, Mississippi, Kentucky, Georgia, North Carolina and Virginia.