Altoona's Electricity Bill Going Up
By: Kevin Flanigan
Updated: April 19, 2010
ALTOONA, BLAIR COUNTY - The City of Altoona has a problem with rising utility rates. The City's Director of Public Works told City Council last week that the cost of providing street lights in the City will go up by about $60 thousand next year. The higher utility bills are blamed on state legislation that mandates energy conservation programs. That legislation will end up costing the City more money because the city's options for conserving energy are limited.
Public Works Director Dave Dietrich says the City's utility bills under Act 129 will go up by about $5,000 each month. That's because the city has no way to significantly reduce the amount of power that it use for street lights. Diedrich say another jump in the City's utility rates could come the following year went some electricity rates caps in Pennsylvania are allowed to expire. Diedrich says efforts are underway to find other programs or funding that may be available to help the City deal with its rising utility bills.
Public Works Director Dave Dietrich says the City's utility bills under Act 129 will go up by about $5,000 each month. That's because the city has no way to significantly reduce the amount of power that it use for street lights. Diedrich say another jump in the City's utility rates could come the following year went some electricity rates caps in Pennsylvania are allowed to expire. Diedrich says efforts are underway to find other programs or funding that may be available to help the City deal with its rising utility bills.
