Heavy Rains May Lower Power Bills

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. (WDEF) – The recent heavy rains could have an impact on your power bill.

Areas of the Tennessee Valley have seen up to 3 to 4 inches of rain since Thursday morning on top of previous storm systems.

All of this water that goes into local creeks and streams eventually ends up in the Tennessee River.

A higher amount of water in the river means that our series of hydroelectric dams can generate more power, potentially lowering electric costs in the months ahead.

TVA spokesperson Scott Fielder said, “The good news with all of that water is it’s free energy from mother nature. Every drop of water, we use that nine times or more, depending on where you are at in the system, so we can use that water to generate clean, low-cost electricity.”

The Chattanooga Lock opened up its spill gates today to release the excess water further downstream.