My local coop now charges a gas surcharge which is billable in kilowatts, thus my kilowatt average is higher this year than last, when it is actually the same if it weren't for the gas surcharge.

My house is only 1200 sf, and last months bill was $65 which includes the gas surcharge and utility light. Yet, last year, it was only $50ish. One postive note on belonging to a coop is that you earn "dividends", yet take about 10 years to collect. For instance, my previous coop in another town I will collect in 9/10 years about $500. Yet, 9/10 years from now, that may cover that month's electric!