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Lewis County staff warn January electricity supply costs spiked, solar credits offset much of bills
Summary
Community Services staff presented county electricity usage and cost trends through January 2026, reporting a substantial January increase driven by supply charges while solar net-meter credits offset many meters; the committee noted budget impacts for towns and county departments.
Lauren Tabault of Lewis County Community Services presented a summary of county electricity usage and costs covering July 2024 through January 2026 and told the committee that a January spike was driven primarily by higher supply charges on National Grid bills.
Tabault illustrated that usage and cost tracks seasonally but that supply costs in January more than doubled for some departments; she said remote net-meter credits from county solar installations offset much of the delivery and supply charges for several meters in December but that the January supply increase will affect the county’s budget this fiscal year.
Committee members discussed how towns and villages record municipal building electric costs in their accounting and asked whether solar credits were included; Tabault confirmed the bills shown included transfer of remote net-meter credits and that most meters are netted out but some still show outstanding supply charges.
The committee did not take formal action on the presentation; members noted the need to monitor budget lines as higher supply costs are realized in January payables.
