The Lyndon Electric Department is chipping away at a million-dollar operating deficit

LYNDON — The Lyndon Electric Department is chipping away at a million-dollar operating deficit. Following a 12.44 percent rate hike, LED has started to see a five-figure monthly increase in electric sales revenue. Lyndon Electric Department submitted the rate hike for Public Utilities Commission approval in the spring. However, by law, LED can impose the rate hike while the application is pending, and did so on June 5. Under the increase, the monthly bill for the average household using 600-kilowatt hours would go up by approximately $11.61. If the Public Utilities Commission approves a lesser markup, LED would refund the difference to its 5,927 customers across 11 towns. The rate increase would be LED’s first in 13 years and will offset a projected $1 million shortfall in 2023.