This increase in the tariff only applies to areas serviced by SECO. SECO is an Electric co-op, meaning that the cost of providing service is paid for by the people served, which is why it only applies to 62,000 households. And, when the cost of supplying a service goes up, it must be born by the members who benefit, and not subsidized by members who don’t.
Despite any speculation, rumor, or conjecture to the contrary, this is for street lights. It is NOT your yard light, not for pylons, nor for transmission, and not for cable or any other utility. It pays for the poles, lights, electricity, maintenance and repair.
Here is the press release from SECO:
SECO Energy Announces Increase in Lighting Rates – SECO Energy
p.s. As a co-op, SECO offers us much lower rates than those enjoyed by our neighbors who are are not SECO members.