Electric Rates to Increase in October

By Brad Sam, brad@mckenziebanner.com • June 3, 2025 • Updated July 12, 2026

From the Jun 3, 2025 e-Edition

Carroll County Electric Department General Manager Ryan Drewry plays a video showing progress at the Trezevant solar project.

HUNTINGDON (May 29) — Electric rates are set to increase in October following approval by the Carroll County Electric Department Board during Thursday's meeting.

The rate increase will amount to five percent for the average customer, but is broken down into specific changes. Residential customers will see an increased charge of $2.50 along with a kWh rate increase of $0.00411. Various classes of commercial customers will see a kWh rate change ranging from $0.00471 to $0.00559. The kWh rate for outdoor lighting will increase by $0.00375.

The changes will increase revenues by an estimated $1.8 million.

CCED General Manager Ryan Drewry explained the need for the increase, citing inflation and an upcoming debt issuance.

He noted that the county had only increased rates by 2.05 percent in the last ten years, while the TVA has increased its rates by 14.25 percent over the same period. The most recent increase for CCED was in 2023, necessitated by the expiration of pandemic relief.

The board also approved an Excess Generation Option Power Purchase Agreement with the TVA for the solar installation nearing completion in Trezevant. This will allow CCED to be reimbursed for excess electricity generated at the site that is absorbed by the TVA power grid. Drewry noted that it saved twice as much money to use the electricity than sell it to TVA and that the department is taking steps to maximize usage in the county's grid, but this agreement would secure value for excess electricity when it can't be used locally.

Drewry played a video showing the progress at the solar site, which is quickly approaching mechanical completion. He noted that Silicon Ranch, the Nashville-based company that owns and operates the solar site, will host an event for the public to mark the completion of the project.

The site houses just under 20,000 panels for a maximum capacity of 6.5 megawatts.

The meeting adjourned in 30 minutes.

Board member Paul Moore was absent.

The board meets next on Thursday, June 26 at 2:30 p.m.