Commitment to Community
A monthly non-taxable fee charged and required by the State of Wisconsin to fund public benefits programs including energy conservation, weatherization, and low-income energy assistance programs.
Demand
The rate at which electric energy is delivered to or used by a customer expressed in kilowatts at a given instant or averaged over a designated period of time, usually 15 minutes.
Demand charge
A charge for electric service provided designed to recover the capacity (kW) costs of the wholesale electric supplier.
Demand rate
A method of charging for electricity where the rate of electric usage (kW) during the billing period is considered in determining a portion of the customer’s bill.
Distribution demand
Highest demand over the current month or preceding 11 months.
Distribution demand charge
Designed to recover costs of infrastructure needed to deliver electricity from wholesale delivery point to customer’s service entrance.
Electric Service
A charge for the fixed costs associated with the electric service, while the energy charge reflects the electric usage in kilowatt-hours.
Energy
Generally refers to kilowatt-hours.
Fire protection
The fixed Public Fire Protection charge is used to fund water infrastructure required for effective fire suppression.
Flat rate
The price charged per kWh is constant, does not change based on time of day.
Kilowatt
Measure of electric power equal to 1,000 watts. One kilowatt (kW) equals 1.34 horsepower.
Kilowatt-hour
Basic unit for measuring electric energy. Equal to one kilowatt of power supplied or consumed for one hour.
Late payment charge
Bills are due when received and past due 20 days after billing date. Past due bills are subject to a 1% late penalty which is assessed the day after the due date if payment has not been received.
Off-Peak period
Periods of relatively low system demand.
On-Peak period
Periods of relatively high system demand.
Power Cost Adjustment Clause (PCAC)
Reflects monthly wholesale charges in actual power costs, which can vary with weather, customer demand, fuel costs and other factors. The PCAC helps us keep rates as low as possible by ensuring that our not-for-profit utility collects no more and no less than the actual cost for your wholesale power.
Public Fire Protection Charge
A charge for use and maintenance of hydrants for fire protection service only and such quantities of water as may be demanded for the purpose of extinguishing fires within the service area.
Recycling/Compost
Covers the cost of a recycling cart and bi-weekly recycling collection throughout the community. Rates also support operational costs for the New Richmond compost site located at 1935 115th Street in New Richmond.
Sales Tax
Commercial class customers are required by the State of Wisconsin to pay sales tax on the electric portion of their bill. Residential class customers, primary residence, are not required to pay sales tax as of October 1 2025.
Sewer Charge
Applies to New Richmond Utilities water customers only. The charge pays for the fixed costs associated with your sewer service, while the volume charge is based on your water usage.
Single-phase service
Service where the facility has two energized wires coming into it. Typically serves 120/240 volt services and requires simpler infrastructure to support. Is less expensive to install and maintain.
Storm Water Utility
Fees that fund the infrastructure and services that manage rainwater and snow melt runoff throughout the community. This includes maintaining storm drains, pipes, culverts, and retention ponds; improving drainage to reduce flooding; protecting local water quality; and meeting federal storm water requirements under the Clean Water Act.
Three-phase service
Service where the facility has three energized wires coming into it. Requires more sophisticated equipment and tends to be more expensive to install and maintain.
Time-of-use rate
Prices for electricity that vary depending on what time of day the customer uses electricity. Designed to reflect the different cost the utility incurs to provide electricity during on-peak and off-peak periods.
Urban forestry
Forestry fees cover costs associated with the care, maintenance and replacement of public vegetation located on city property, including parks and rights-of-way.
Water Service
A charge for the fixed costs associated with your water service, while the volume charge reflects your water usage.