Williamson received permission from the Power Board at its regular monthly meeting to write off almost $180,000 in bad debt due to the bankruptcies of Quebecor World, Heckethorn and former industrial park tenant Bekaert's unpaid bills.

Revenue for DES relative to the last fiscal year is $726,000, a reduction of more than half the 2007 numbers.

Money to pay the legal team for the lawsuit against Bekaert is also offsetting any further gain in revenue, but Williamson said DES's insurance carrier is expected to cover the amount, although not until the next budget year.

The system's reserve fund remains in good shape, said Williamson, but the uncertainty of future economic conditions and continually increasing TVA fees have spurred discussion of a spring 2009 rate study.

The last time the entire structure was altered was 1982, said Williamson.

Williamson also said customer concerns over the TVA surcharge tacked on for fuel costs -- which appears as a separate line item in addition to the DES bill -- has risen in recent months.

"We have no control over that," said Williamson. "TVA gets that entire amount. All we do is break it out on the bill so people can see what they are getting charged for."