Each month, your cooperative generates and sends you a bill for the energy you used during that billing period.  Your energy use is tracked by our advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) system.  At the end of your billing period, our systems calculate how much electricity you have used and creates a bill for that amount. 

Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative wants the bill and billing process to be as clear and understandable as possible. We know your electric bill contains a lot of technical information and can often be intimidating, overwhelming, and confusing. That's why we've provided this tool to walk you through the information and charges found on your electric bill so you have a better understanding of exactly what you pay for each month.

The bill itself contains more information than just the amount you owe.  It also breaks down the individual line items making up the total amount due and shows you how much electricity you used in the past 13 months.  This information helps you track consumption and look for ways to conserve.

Below is a sample bill with an explanation of the various charges that may appear on your monthly billing statement. We are happy to help if you have any questions about your monthly charges.

Breaking Down Your Bill

The name and address of the member(s) responsible for the account.  The mailing address may be different than the actual service address.

If your bill seems high, it often can be explained by the information presented in the kWh usage history chart.  The chart displays your average kWh per day and the average cost per day.  The 13-month usage history also allows you to compare your current bill with the previous month's usage and last year's usage for the same month.

Important messages from Steuben Rural Electric Cooperative.

Summarizes account and meter information.

Line 1:

  • Account Number: This is your SREC account number.  Please refer to this number when contacting the office or accessing your account online
  • Billing Date:  The date the bill is processed and mailed.
  • Rate:  Identifies your billing rate tariff.
  • Service Address:  Indicates the physical address that is served with electricity.
  • Map Location:  Pinpoints the location of your electric service in our mapping system.

Line 2:

  • Meter Number:  Each electric meter has a unique number, which enables SREC to bill appropriately.
  • Present Read:  The number read from your meter at the end of the billing period.
  • Previous Read:  The number read from your meter at the start of the billing period.
  • Multiplier:  A factor used to calculate billing determinants, such as kWh and kW for commercial members.
  • kWh Used:  the total amount of energy in kilowatt-hours (kWh) used during the billing period.  One kilowatt-hour is the equivalent of using 1,000 watts for one hour, or using a 100-watt light bulb for 10 hours.
  • Reference:  A code used internally to differentiate types of service characteristics.

 

Here, you can find a breakdown of what charges make up your current bill.  Budget Billing members can keep track of their "true balance" by this information.

Charges that you will find on an electric bill:

Customer Charge

The customer charge is a monthly charge that Cooperative members pay to help recover fixed costs associated with maintaining and operating our distribution system.  The charge is the same each month, no matter how much electricity is used.  Because all members benefit from having reliable electric service available when they need it, the customer charge allows everyone to pay a share of the costs. 

Energy Supply Charge 

The energy supply charge is the cost for the generation and transmission of power to the Cooperative's substations.  This reflects the costs the Cooperative incurs related to the purchasing of the energy used by our members.  The charge is a variable charge, based on the amount of electric the member uses.

Distribution Charge

The distribution charge is to recover the variable cost associated with maintaining and operating our distribution system.  The charge is a variable charge, based on the amount of electric the member uses.

Demand Charge

Demand is measured in kW.  1 kW is equivalent to 1,000 Watts.  The demand charge is not based on kWh used, rather it is based on the highest kW demand during a single 15-minute period during the billing month.  For instance, if 10 - 100 watt lights were all turned on at once, this would generate a demand of 1 kW.

NYS CES ZEC Charge

The NYS CES ZEC charge is a NYS mandated charge under the Clean Energy Standard Order, issued on August 1, 2016 by the NYS Public Service Commission.  The charge will provide funding for Tier 3 of the Clean Energy Standard Order. 

NYPA LTA Energy Efficiency Rider

In accordance with our power supply contract with the New York Power Authority, consumer owned utilities must establish a dedicated fund to be used for energy efficiency, renewable energy and other related projects.  The Cooperative collects this charge and the Board of Directors directs the disbursement of these funds toward energy efficiency projects that provide the most benefit to our members and the distribution system as a whole.  Examples of these programs include the 100% LED security light initiative, energy efficiency rebates, farm efficiency rebates and residential weatherization rebates. 

Late Payment Charge

Members' bills are due by the 10th of the month following the issuance of the bill.  To avoid a penalty your payment must reach our office by the "due date" printed on the bill.  A 1.5% penalty will apply if payment is received after the due date printed on the bill.

Returned Check Charge

A $30 returned check charge will be assessed for any checks that are not honored.

Security Light Charge

The security light charge is the monthly charge for those members renting a security light from the Cooperative.  The energy used by the security light is not metered.  Therefore, your security light charge will be a variable rate which is dependent upon the energy supply rate & the estimated usage for your security light.

This area lists payment due date, amount due, penalty date, and amount with penalty.  If you use automated payments, this area will indicate when the money is withdrawn from your credit card or bank account.

Bills are mailed around the 11th business day of the month.  All bills are due on the 5th of each month.  Penalties will be assessed on the 10th of each month.  If you cannot pay your bill by the due date, call us to discuss payment options or payment arrangement eligibility.

 

This area will list your previous balance, payments made, late fees charged, and/or adjustments received since your last billing period and balance prior to this billing.

The bottom of your statement is perforated and is the portion we ask that you mail back if you choose to mail your payment.  By including the return stub with your payment, you are assuring accurate credit to the proper account.  This portion of your bill has your account number, due date, total amount due, and space on the back to update your account information.

Please indicate change of address and/or phone number here and indicate on the reverse side.