Alabama Power going up on rates in August

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There’s good news and not-so-good news for Alabama Power customers.

The good news, all customers will receive a one-time credit of about $19 for a typical residential customer using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month due to lower costs in 2021.

But beginning in August, customer bills will adjust upward about 5% due to higher fuel costs. The adjustment is lower than the current rate of inflation, Alabama Power says in a news release. Customers will also see an adjustment to the storm restoration fund, resulting in a slight decrease to customer bills.

Combined, bills will adjust about $6 a month for the typical residential customer.

A news release from Alabama Power says its total retail price remains below the national average.

Most utilities around the U.S. have seen fuel costs increase over the past several months with inflation at or near a 40-year high.

Alabama Power customers can manage daily energy use by enrolling in My Power Usage on your online account at AlabamaPower.com. The tool shows daily and monthly usage, projected bill amounts and sends email alerts when bills reach a set dollar amount.

Also, find easy tips to save money and use less energy at AlabmaPower.com/Summerize.

Budget Billing is a free service that lets you pay an averaged bill each month, based on annual use. Budget Billing can help stabilize seasonal variations in energy bills.

Those able to support neighbors in need can check the Project SHARE box on their Alabama Power bill or online account. Contributions to Project SHARE, administered by the Salvation Army, directly support low-income and elderly customers in our communities.