Electric Company Rate Increase Ahead

Verdigris Valley Electric COOP is raising its rates, but not because of the ice storm.  They say the company that provides its electricity is spending more money because of fuel costs and making coal plants more environmentally friendly.

Officials say the 23% increase for its members is the largest in its history.

"It has no bearing on the ice storm, whatsoever. We'd still be doing the same rate increase of the ice storm passed us by," said Clyde Willard, Verdigris Valley Electric.

Verdigris Valley services more than 24,000 people in five northeastern Oklahoma counties.