Christmas chill brings higher utility bills
Although we’ve had a few warm days sprinkled in, Wilson is still in the middle of winter, which you will confirm the next time you open your Wilson Energy bill. Typically, January and February utility bills will be your highest, and that’s the case this year, too. We want to remind you of why this happens every year right after the holidays – and it’s not because of the Christmas decorations downtown (yeah, we know that sounds silly but we hear it every year from some corner of the Internet).
The major cause of a high utility bill is extreme temperatures – and it was very cold at the end of December. Home heating is always the biggest driver of usage (and cost) in our part of the country. The calendar below shows temperature in December, some of the days covered in your most recent utility bill. The dark blue shows the coldest days of the month. Note the very low temperatures in the teens right around Christmas. During extreme weather like this, your home heating system is working nearly non-stop even to keep your home at an energy-efficient 68 degrees.
The higher bills usually affect homes that heat with natural gas more than those who heat with electricity (like a heat pump). And some billing cycles will have more of an impact because of the number of cold days during the billing cycle.
Natural gas rates continue to be a bit higher than in previous years. Thankfully, we have not seen the 30 percent increases we were warning about last fall. Market conditions have improved and we don’t expect to see the large price increases we expected.
We face this every year, and there’s not much we can do about it except keep thermostats on the lowest comfortable setting for your family, and rest assured that your bill will be more reasonable as Spring approaches.
Wilson Energy just completed the annual residential electric rate comparison, showing Wilson Energy's residential rates compared to other regional providers. Once again this year, Wilson Energy's electric rates are lower than any other utilities in the region. For those residents who have been in Wilson more than 10 years, this is especially meaningful. After several decades of high electric rates, the power supply changes we made back in 2015 - along with the other NCEMPA communities - are continuing to pay off.
This comparison is based on a household consuming 1,000 kWh and includes the winter rates for those utilities with seasonal rate schedules.
The Wilson City Council met on Thursday, Jan. 19, for its first meeting of 2023. Mayor Pro Tem James Johnson conducted the meeting in Mayor Stevens' absence. (This is why Council appoints a Mayor Pro Tem, to easily step in for the Mayor when needed).
In addition to several routine items, the Council approved an economic development incentive for Believer Meats, which announced a $123 million facility in the Wilson Corporate Park in December. The incentive will provide $500,000 per year, for five years, to the company split equally between the City of Wilson and Wilson County. Believer Meats has already hired its first Wilson-based employee and will eventually have between 80 and 100 employees, with an average annual salary of $60,000.
"This project will not have any impact on our livestock or row crop agricultural community," said Wilson Economic Development Director Jennifer Lantz during the public hearing. "This is a very new concept to America. I don’t think you will see any change in the number of livestock operations across the country. But what you will see as commercialization takes place with this type of food, you will see world hunger begin to diminish. Right now, more than 20 percent of the world’s children are hungry. And there are more than 49 nations where eating meeting once a week is a luxury. So having innovative companies like Believe Meat helps provide meat that will be affordable and spread throughout the world." You can watch Ms. Lantz's comments at the link below at the 6 minute 30 second mark.
City Council also approved a resolution to convey land for Pender Crossing, an innovative residential project that will be built near the current Pender Street Park. The city is partnering with Woda Cooper Companies to pursue funding through the North Carolina Housing Finance Agency. This step allows Woda Cooper to apply for the funding, and we will know by August 2023 if the project can move forward. You can watch the company's presentation at the link below at the 14 minute mark.
Council also approved a resolution to support NC DOT on a traffic pattern change at the intersection of Nash Street, Ward Boulevard and Forest Hills Road. This is a DOT project and we will provide more information when it is available. The Kenan-Jackson Streets water, sewer and storm drain infrastructure project is also one step closer to kick off with the resolution of approval on the construction method.
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The City of Wilson was chartered on Jan. 28, 1849, making this Saturday our 174th birthday. We are already planning on doing something special to mark 175 in 2024.
Do you have any suggestions? Please email them to communications@wilsonnc.org. We would love to have your input on how we might celebrate our last milestone before the bicentennial in 2049.
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 Carolina Games Summit has partnered with Wilson Downtown Development Corporation to bring 14 different esports tournaments to 5 different venues in Historic Downtown Wilson on Friday, February 17, 5 pm to 11 pm; and Saturday, February 18, 10 am to 11 pm, 2023.
Casita Brewing Company, Imagination Station Science & History Museum, Wilson Arts Center, Gig East Exchange, and Foundation YMCA will all play host to indoor and outdoor video game tournaments and freeplay attractions for the entire family while exposing attendees to select regularly scheduled business activities as well. Food and gaming trucks will be positioned outside select venues giving attendees an opportunity to explore the downtown area and create their own experience during the event.
Carolina Games Summit tickets are available to the public and may be purchased online (use link below). Stay tuned for the latest information on tournaments, exhibitors, and event attractions. Contact the event organizers at info@carolinagamessummit.com for more information on attending, exhibiting, or speaking at the Carolina Games Summit.
Come help Wilson celebrate 2023 as the “Year of the Trail” with our inclusive wellness walk! Come enjoy fresh air, ADA accessible walking track, and of course the exercise! Wellness Vendors will be available on site!
First 200 people to register onsite get a FREE T-Shirt!
Date: Thursday, April 27, 2023
Time: 6:00pm (On-Site Registration Starts at 5:30pm)
Location: Greater Wilson Rotary Park
If you are a non-profit/wellness organization or offer wellness type services and want to be a vendor contact Braxton Patterson at bpatterson@wilsonnc.org
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