What is covered in SCI REMC’s monthly basic service charge?

The basic service charge ensures that member expectations for continuous power and excellent customer service are met.​

It provides the funds required to maintain the quality, reliability, and integrity of services that our members count on and have come to expect.  The expenses include items such as:​

• Wire, poles, transformers, and equipment needed to distribute reliable electricity for members’ power needs.​
• Trucks, equipment, and tools required to build and maintain the electric distribution system.​
• Facilities that house trucks, equipment, and supplies, including the technology and office supplies needed to operate.​
• Payroll for the wages of the professionals who design, build, maintain, and restore the system and the staff needed to operate the business.​
• Vegetation management and system inspections to ensure the safety and reliability of the electrical system.​
• Liability insurance, interest on long-term debt, and property taxes.​
• New technologies to provide increased reliability and operational efficiencies such as the automated metering infrastructure (AMI) system, outage management system, and investments in renewable energy.​

Because all cooperative members benefit from having reliable electric service available when they want it, the basic service charge ensures that everyone pays their fair share of the basic costs – fixed costs that exist whether or not a single kWh is used.​