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June 2008
The rapid rise in the cost of oil has dominated headlines for months, and the impact is being felt in many areas of our daily lives, most notably at the fuel pump. Businesses, from grocery stores to offices to landscapers, are also faced with these rising prices, and are forced to pass higher costs along to their customers as well. JEA is no different. However, for JEA the effect is even more dramatic because 43% of our operating budget goes to pay for fuel to generate electricity. There is no way we can absorb the type of fuel cost increases in oil, petroleum coke, natural gas and even coal that we have seen in the last few years and particularly in the last six or seven months.
We know that no increase is good and that for many of us it will demand that we make choices and even sacrifices that we haven’t had to do before. And with the experts’ projections for even higher fuel costs and increased requirements to meet environmental regulations, prices will likely be even higher in the future. We know the impact it will have on our community including our 2,200 employees who will be paying more, just like you.
JEA is your community-owned, not-for-profit utility. What does that mean? JEA’s sole reason for being is to provide electric, water and sewer services to the residents of Northeast Florida. Our challenge is to achieve a balance between providing reliable services, supporting the economic health of the community generated by growth, having as little impact on the environment as possible, and maintaining the lowest rates possible. Through that all, we do not make a “profit.” We merely recover our costs.
Let me say again, JEA is your community-owned, not-for-profit utility. We are here to serve the community, so even when we have to raise rates to maintain a stable and financially sound utility, we also are committed to educating you about the ways you can actually use less of our products.
Click here to view our conservation tip sheet which gives you some very important low cost or no cost activities that you can do to help reduce the cost of your electric, water and sewer utility services. On average, your heating and air conditioning account for 50% of the electricity you use. You can save a lot by keeping your house warmer in the summer and cooler in the winter. Turn off all electrical equipment that you are not using. Get rid of that extra refrigerator in the garage. And when you get ready to buy any new electrical item, be sure to check the energy requirements before you buy. If you have access to a computer, there is more information on jea.com, our website. If you don’t, the library is a great resource.
We have all gotten used to taking things like low cost electricity and plentiful water for granted. We may not have a choice about the changes around us, but we do have a choice about our own behavior and how wisely we use those products going forward. The two hardest things about conservation are 1) educating ourselves and 2) building new habits. We can help you with the first, but the second you have to do yourself. If everyone conserves even a little, it can make a huge difference for our community and the rates we have to charge in the future.
Sincerely,
Jim Dickenson
CEO
For other money saving tips, visit the jea.com Conservation Center.
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