Lakeland Electric will ask city commissioners to approve an increase in the municipal-owned utility’s fuel rate from $36 to $45

Lakeland Electric will ask city commissioners to approve an increase in the municipal-owned utility’s fuel rate from $36 to $45 per 1,000 kilowatt hours effective July 1. This will increase the average residential customer’s bill by about $10.80 per month, for those who use 1,200 kilowatts.

The proposed fuel rate, if approved on Monday, will be increased for the first time since the summer of 2022.

“For the last six months, we’ve been able to enjoy rates at the lowest levels since the second quarter of 2021,” said LE’s fuel manager Sandra Ruede at Friday’s Utility Committee meeting. “The market prices are escalating with increased heat, causing increased demand that is pushing the market upward.”