PERU – Peru Utilities rates were higher in August than they were in June and July and Peru residents were upset. The higher temperatures are to blame. The rates did not increase and actually they are down this quarter from last quarter. As for raising prices, Kevin Shives, Assistant Office Manager, explained that power is purchased through the Indiana Municipal Power Authority and there are times when the actual cost to Peru Utilities is more than they expect because consumption is so high. “We do not raise the rates when that happens,” Mr. Shives explains. Mr. Shives reported the next quarter will be a bit higher than this quarter, which will increase the cost of kilowatts per hour charges. Most customers would typically not see much of an increase because those are months where heating and cooling units are generally not used as much. Mr. Shives reported the electric and water meters are read monthly, except in the event of unusually harsh weather, which typically involves snow in the wintertime. “We do make mistakes occasionally in reading those meters,” Mr. Shives added. Mr. Shives reported that customers can go to the Peru Utilities website and learn how to read their own meters as well, so that they can understand how they are using their utilities.