Frequently asked questions
Where Does the BPU Purchase Your Electric From?
The electric we provide to our customers is purchased from two separate sources. The New York Power Authority “NYPA” provides a monthly allotment of hydroelectric power. The electric provided by NYPA is primarily generated at the Niagara Power Project near Niagara Falls. The electric purchased from NYPA is extremely low cost compared to other sources of electric. For more information regarding NYPA visit their web site at www.nypa.gov. Once the BPU exceeds our monthly allotment of electric from NYPA we have to purchase the remainder of our electric needs from the New York Municipal Power Agency “NYMPA”. NYMPA supplies all our electric needs not supplied by NYPA. NYMPA purchases power generated from coal, gas, and other more expensive generation sources. For more information regarding NYMPA visit their web site at www.nympa.org. In addition to purchasing electric, the Board of Public Utilities is charged by National Grid to transmit the energy purchased for our customers use from its source to Salamanca. All the above costs are what make up your monthly PPA charges shown on your electric invoice.
The electric we provide to our customers is purchased from two separate sources. The New York Power Authority “NYPA” provides a monthly allotment of hydroelectric power. The electric provided by NYPA is primarily generated at the Niagara Power Project near Niagara Falls. The electric purchased from NYPA is extremely low cost compared to other sources of electric. For more information regarding NYPA visit their web site at www.nypa.gov. Once the BPU exceeds our monthly allotment of electric from NYPA we have to purchase the remainder of our electric needs from the New York Municipal Power Agency “NYMPA”. NYMPA supplies all our electric needs not supplied by NYPA. NYMPA purchases power generated from coal, gas, and other more expensive generation sources. For more information regarding NYMPA visit their web site at www.nympa.org. In addition to purchasing electric, the Board of Public Utilities is charged by National Grid to transmit the energy purchased for our customers use from its source to Salamanca. All the above costs are what make up your monthly PPA charges shown on your electric invoice.
Why Do PPA Costs Vary Month to Month?
In 2021 the PPA charges have ranged for a low of $0.018507 (less than 2 cents) per kWh to a high of $0.035793 (slightly more than 3½ cents) per kWh. A majority of BPU residential electric customers heat at least a portion of their homes with some type of electric resistance heating. Due to this large electric heating load, the BPU purchases almost twice as much electric during the colder winter months than we purchase during the summer months. As mentioned earlier, the BPU is allotted a set amount of low cost hydroelectric power purchased thru NYPA. Once the BPU’s customers exceed the monthly allotment of low cost power, we have no alternative but to purchase more costly electric thru NYMPA. The higher PPA charges in the winter months reflect the BPU’s need to purchase more expensive power thru NYMPA.
In 2021 the PPA charges have ranged for a low of $0.018507 (less than 2 cents) per kWh to a high of $0.035793 (slightly more than 3½ cents) per kWh. A majority of BPU residential electric customers heat at least a portion of their homes with some type of electric resistance heating. Due to this large electric heating load, the BPU purchases almost twice as much electric during the colder winter months than we purchase during the summer months. As mentioned earlier, the BPU is allotted a set amount of low cost hydroelectric power purchased thru NYPA. Once the BPU’s customers exceed the monthly allotment of low cost power, we have no alternative but to purchase more costly electric thru NYMPA. The higher PPA charges in the winter months reflect the BPU’s need to purchase more expensive power thru NYMPA.
What is The Cost of Electric to Residential Customers
The highest electric charge for BPU residential electric customers in 2021 occurred with utility invoices our customers received in January. At that time, the total cost of residential electric service was more than 8 cents ($0.08) per kilowatt-hour of electric purchased from the Salamanca Board of Public Utilities. The lowest cost of electric purchased from the BPU in 2021 occurred with utility invoices our customers received in August. At that time, the total cost of residential electric service was less than 3 cents ($0.06) per kilowatt-hour of electric purchased from the BPU. Overall in 2022 residential electric costs have averaged slightly less than 7.8 cents ($0.078) per kilowatt-hour.
The highest electric charge for BPU residential electric customers in 2021 occurred with utility invoices our customers received in January. At that time, the total cost of residential electric service was more than 8 cents ($0.08) per kilowatt-hour of electric purchased from the Salamanca Board of Public Utilities. The lowest cost of electric purchased from the BPU in 2021 occurred with utility invoices our customers received in August. At that time, the total cost of residential electric service was less than 3 cents ($0.06) per kilowatt-hour of electric purchased from the BPU. Overall in 2022 residential electric costs have averaged slightly less than 7.8 cents ($0.078) per kilowatt-hour.
Where Does the Seneca Allegany Casino Purchase Electric
The Seneca Allegany Casino purchases all their electric from the Salamanca Board of Public Utilities. There have been persistent rumors that purchases of electric by the Seneca Allegany Casino have caused electric rates to rise for all Customers. This rumor is false. As mentioned above, the Board of Pubic Utilities purchases low cost hydroelectric from the New York Power Authority and higher cost electric from the New York Municipal Power Agency. Once our customers exceed our monthly allotment of low cost hydroelectric, we purchase the remainder of our customers electric needs from NYMPA each and every month. When electric utility invoices are calculated each and every month, the invoice for the electric consumption at the Seneca Allegany Casino is calculated using the highest cost of energy purchased. In essence, the Seneca Allegany Casino purchases all their energy requirements at the highest cost of electric purchased. This method of calculating the electric utility invoices for the Seneca Allegany Casino allows all other BPU electric rate payers to enjoy the lowest possible electric rates.
The Seneca Allegany Casino purchases all their electric from the Salamanca Board of Public Utilities. There have been persistent rumors that purchases of electric by the Seneca Allegany Casino have caused electric rates to rise for all Customers. This rumor is false. As mentioned above, the Board of Pubic Utilities purchases low cost hydroelectric from the New York Power Authority and higher cost electric from the New York Municipal Power Agency. Once our customers exceed our monthly allotment of low cost hydroelectric, we purchase the remainder of our customers electric needs from NYMPA each and every month. When electric utility invoices are calculated each and every month, the invoice for the electric consumption at the Seneca Allegany Casino is calculated using the highest cost of energy purchased. In essence, the Seneca Allegany Casino purchases all their energy requirements at the highest cost of electric purchased. This method of calculating the electric utility invoices for the Seneca Allegany Casino allows all other BPU electric rate payers to enjoy the lowest possible electric rates.