Your Bill Explained

The electric bill – it comes once a month. Most of us glance at the balance due, and make plans to pay that amount.

But the electric bill is more than just the amount owed. The bill is full of information that can be useful in helping you better understand your electric usage. The information on the bill can also help consumers gain a better understanding of charges and credits that affect how much Kotzebue Electric Association must charge for your electric service.

The information below will help you better understand how you are charged for electric service. We hope you find this information useful.

Click on any section of the bill below to jump down to an explanation.

Account Number

Each member has a unique account number, which is printed here. The top third of your bill is meant to be torn off and returned to KEA with your payment. The remaining section of the bill is for you to keep for your records.

Due Date

This is the date your payment is due at KEA. Please make sure your payment is received at our office by this date. If you are mailing your payment, allow several days for the bill to reach us.

Total Amount Due

This reflects the amount you owe KEA for your electric service. The amount shown here inclues your current amount due, plus any outstanding balances or late payments. If you paid your previous month's bill late, it may be reflected here if it arrived at KEA's office after the current month's bills were printed.

Amount of Payment Enclosed

This area is where you should enter the amount you are enclosing, and should reflect the Total Amount Due.

PCE Information

Without the state Power Cost Equalization program, electric rates in rural Alaska would be much higher than they already are. This section of your bill shows how much your would be paying if there were no contribution from the PCE program.

Member Phone Number

This is the current phone number KEA has on file. If this number is not correct, contact KEA and we will update your records.

Bill Date

This date shows the when your bill was processed. It is approximately a month before your current bill payment is due.

Date of Last Payment

Date your last payment was received by KEA.

Service Dates

These are the dates for which you are being billed for your electric service.

Days in Cycle

Each billing cycle will have approximately 30 days in it. This will vary month to month.

Customer Name and Service Address

Your name and the address where you have electric service.

Meter Serial Number

Each electric meter has a unique number, which enables KEA to bill appropriately.

Rate Code

A code used by the KEA office to describe different types of consumers.

Revenue Class

Another consumer description. 'R' stands for residential; 'L' stands for large commercial; etc.

Phase

This is a description that is no longer used.

Billing Description

This section includes different costs and credits that can change the amount of your bill:

Beginning Balance:
This reflects the balance of your account prior to the current month's charges. If your account is up-to-date, the amount will be zero. If you are behind on your payments, or your last payment was late, those amounts will be shown here.
Electric Service Costs:
This is your total current charge for electric usage, before any credits or additional charges are applied. This charge is your total kWh usage multiplied by the current electric rate.
Fuel Cost Rate ADJ:
Either a credit or a charge, based on the fluctuation of the price of diesel fuel KEA uses for its generators since the last rate charge.
City Sales Tax:
Electricity is taxed under the City of Kotzebue's sales tax.
Misc. Charges:
Charges for any services or sales other than basic electric service.
Power Cost Equalization:
Power Cost Equalization is a state-run program that subsidizes the cost of electricity in rural areas. Each month, consumers receive a credit based on the number of kilowatt hours they use. The amount your bill would be without PCE is shown in a different area of your bill.

Previous and Current Readings

These two areas show the reading on your meter at the beginning and the end of this bill's cycle. Subtracting the former from the later gives KEA the amount of electricity you used during the month.

Multiplier

Only used for large commercial users and specialty metering.

kWh Used

This is the amount of electricity â€” measured in kilowatt hours â€” that you have used in the past month. This total is the present month minus the previous month.

Usage Comparisons

This section offers more detailed information on your kWh usage, including a breakdown of cost and average kWh usage per day. The "Last Month's Bill" and "Current Month Last Year" sections allow you to compare your current usage to the previous month and the same month a year ago.

Ending Balance

This reflects the amount you owe KEA for your electric service, and is the same amount as the "Total Amount Due" at the top of your bill. The amount shown here inclues your current amount due, plus any outstanding balances or late payments. If you paid your previous month's bill late, it may be reflected here if it arrived at KEA's office after the current month's bills were printed.

Account Status

If you are not current on your payments, this section shows what you owe from previous months. Accounts overdue 30 days or more must be paid in order to remain in good credit standing.

Current Information

Look to this area for current information, which will change from month to month.

PCE Information

The information in this box helps to explain the Power Cost Equalization credit.