Electric staff proposes developer-share approach as transformer prices surge

Oak Ridge electric department staff briefed council about steep increases in transformer prices since the COVID era and proposed a conceptual policy to avoid shifting all new equipment costs to existing ratepayers. Staff presented historical cost comparisons and recommended a per‑lot fee for residential development and a roughly 50/50 split for mid‑sized commercial customers; very large industrial users might bear a larger share (potentially up to 100%) depending on projected loads and revenue analyses.