PETITION OF SVEC CONSUMER-MEMBERS
REQUESTING FORMAL REASSESSMENT OF THE RECENT ELECTRIC RATE INCREASE
To:
The Board of Trustees
Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. (SVEC)
11340 100th Street
Live Oak, Florida 32060

Date: ______________________

RE: REQUEST FOR FORMAL REASSESSMENT, TRANSPARENCY, AND MEMBER REVIEW OF SVEC ELECTRIC RATES
We, the undersigned consumer-members and residents of the communities served by Suwannee Valley Electric Cooperative, Inc. ("SVEC"), respectfully petition the SVEC Board of Trustees to formally reopen and reassess the cooperative's recent electric rate increase and to provide consumer-members with a transparent accounting of the information and assumptions used to establish the new rates.

We recognize the extraordinary costs associated with storm restoration and the responsibility of SVEC to maintain a safe, reliable, and financially sustainable electric system. We also recognize that SVEC operates as a member-owned cooperative and that decisions affecting electric rates directly affect the households and businesses that own and rely upon that cooperative.

However, the magnitude of the recent rate increase has created substantial concern among SVEC consumer-members. We therefore believe that the members deserve a thorough, transparent, and publicly documented reassessment of the rates and the financial assumptions supporting them.

WE THEREFORE REQUEST THAT THE SVEC BOARD OF TRUSTEES:
1. Formally reopen and reassess the recently adopted electric rate structure.

We request that the Board conduct a documented review of whether the current rate structure is necessary, appropriately allocated among customer classes, and reasonable in light of SVEC's present financial condition, expected reimbursements, operating costs, wholesale power costs, and other available sources of recovery.

2. Make the underlying Cost-of-Service Study available to consumer-members.

SVEC has stated that an independent financial team conducted a Cost-of-Service Study before the rate change was considered and that proposed rate structures were presented to the Board for approval.

We request access to the study, including:

The methodology used;
Major assumptions and projections;
Revenue requirements;
Cost allocations among customer classes;
Recommended customer and energy charges;
Supporting schedules and calculations;
Any material revisions made before Board approval; and
The final rate recommendations presented to the Board.
3. Provide a detailed accounting of the financial basis for the rate increase.

We request a clear explanation, supported by documentation, showing how the following factors were incorporated into the new rates:

Storm restoration costs;
Outstanding storm-related balances;
Interest expenses;
FEMA and other reimbursement expectations;
Insurance recoveries, grants, or other reimbursements;
Wholesale power costs;
Operating and maintenance expenses;
Capital expenditures;
Debt obligations and financing costs;
Existing reserves and liquidity; and
Any other material factor used to establish the new revenue requirement.
4. Explain the expected impact of the new rates on different types of members.

We request that SVEC publicly provide examples showing the estimated monthly impact on households using, for example:

500 kWh;
1,000 kWh;
1,500 kWh;
2,000 kWh; and
3,000 kWh.
We further request that these examples clearly separate the customer/facilities charge, energy charges, WPCA, Idalia Cost Recovery, taxes, and other applicable charges.

5. Review whether the rate increase should be modified, reduced, phased, or temporarily suspended while the reassessment is conducted.

We request that the Board consider whether the financial objectives of the cooperative can be achieved through a less burdensome rate structure, including a phased adjustment, temporary reduction, alternative recovery mechanism, or other approach that protects both the cooperative's financial stability and the affordability of electric service for its members.

6. Hold a public member meeting concerning the rate increase.

We respectfully request that SVEC hold a publicly announced meeting at which consumer-members may:

Hear a presentation from SVEC management and the Board;
Review the financial basis for the rate change;
Ask questions;
Present concerns;
Receive explanations regarding the Cost-of-Service Study; and
Discuss possible alternatives to the current rate structure.
7. Provide the Board's response to this petition in writing.

We request a written response identifying the Board's position on each request contained in this petition and explaining what action, if any, the Board intends to take.

OUR POSITION
This petition is not a request that SVEC disregard the costs of maintaining a reliable electric system. It is a request that the cooperative's consumer-members receive meaningful transparency, accountability, and an opportunity to review a major financial decision that directly affects them.

As members of a cooperative, we believe the people who receive and support the cooperative's service should have a meaningful opportunity to understand the financial basis of a major rate change and to express their views about whether the current structure is fair, necessary, and sustainable.

We respectfully ask the Board of Trustees to treat this petition as a formal request from SVEC consumer-members for a comprehensive reassessment and public review of the current electric rate structure.

Respectfully submitted by the undersigned SVEC consumer-members and concerned residents:

#
Printed Name
Signature
SVEC Member/Account Holder
City/ZIP
Date

 
 
 
 
 
Petition coordinator: ______________________________________

Phone: ______________________

Email: ______________________

Total signatures submitted: ______________________

Date delivered to SVEC: ______________________