Sept. 24, 2008 In the Sept. 23 “Our View,” the Gazette asserts that a private utility can provide lower-cost service than a municipal utility. The facts show otherwise. A recent national study by Lincoln Electric System reveals that average residential electric rates of municipally-owned utilities are 21 percent lower than the average for investor-owned private utilities. In Colorado Springs, electric rates are 30 percent lower than investor-owned private utilities. Unlike private utilities, we don’t add a profit margin to our rates. As a not-for-profit business, we serve our local community and generate only enough revenue to cover the cost to provide essential services to customers. The rising cost of coal, natural gas and construction materials are affecting all utilities across the nation. Still, by focusing our attention on efficient operations and cost management, we continue to offer our citizen-owners some of the lowest utility bills in the country. Municipal utilities provide additional benefits to local citizens through responsive
service, environmental stewardship, payments in lieu of taxes, employee volunteerism, business partnerships and public involvement. Decisions about the pricing of services, building plants, system improvements and planning for our community’s future energy demands are made locally. Unlike investor-owned utilities, we operate publicly and are subject to open meetings and public record laws. Local control makes Colorado Springs Utilities distinctively different from private utilities because it is fully accountable to the citizens of our community. Mark Murphy
Colorado Springs Utilities | 
