Chattooga County residents that get their power from the North Georgia Electric Membership Corporation can expect a 20% rate increase begginning October 1st of this year.

The Tennessee Valley Authority announced the rate increase this week which will affect all NGEMC customers in Northwest Georgia, including those in Chattooga County.  Residential customers can expect to see an increase of $15 to $20 in their monthly power bills.

Ron Hutchins, North Georgia EMC president and CEO, addressed the issue recently at the company’s annual meeting in Dalton.  At the meeting Hutchins said  that the rising cost of fuel and ongoing drought will continue to drive up customers’ energy costs.