Water Rates Going Up, But Electric Bills Dropping Down
By: Kristen Kennedy
Updated: February 26, 2009
You'll soon be paying more for water this spring, but a drop in LP&L electric bills should help offset your utility costs. The Lubbock City Council approved new electric rates Thursday, and will continue to discuss water rates next week. Because the price of natural gas is so low right now, LP&L can lower electric bills by about twenty dollars. Many city officials also want to expand on an Affordability Reduction Program that would help low income and elderly homeowners pay their water bills.
"You look at your citizens that are at, or near, or below poverty level and try to have some assistance for them that would be graduated based on income," says Deputy City Manager Tom Adams.
The Council will take a second look at raising water rates next Thursday. Linda DeLeon, John Leonard and Todd Klein formed a seperate subcommittee that will discuss plans to make water bills afforable for everyone.
