lineman climbs a pole

Rate Increase

Why are rates increasing?

In October, our power supplier, Bonneville Power Administration (BPA), is implementing a 28% rate increase on power and transmission. In addition, we have seen substantial price increases for essential equipment such as transformers, poles, wires, and more, ranging from 50% to 190%, along with the effects of tariffs.

The decision to raise member rates is not easy. However, to ensure we are able to maintain the level of service our members have come to expect, and ongoing improvements to our infrastructure, a rate increase is necessary.

How much will rates increase?

The increase in your monthly bill will vary depending on your rate class.

  • The Energy Charge per kilowatt-hour (kWh) has increased for each rate class.
  • There are no changes to the Demand Charge or Facilities Charge.

Please refer to the rate schedule to find the updated kWh rate for your specific class. For a member using 1300 kWh and 10kW per month, the bill will increase by $16.77, which is an 11.36% increase.

There will also be a $1.50 per month increase in Street Lighting and a $1 per month increase in Yard/Security Lighting.

How will this rate increase affect the co-ops profits?

We are a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. We exist to serve our members with reliable, affordable power and any margins (profits) we receive are invested into the electric system or allocated to you in the form of capital credits.

What can I do to reduce my electric bill?

We offer incentives for a variety of energy-saving measures. You may also call us for a free energy consult.

Energy assistance may be available for qualifying members through Deschutes County NeighborImpact ((541) 504-2155) and Klamath & Lake Community Action Services ((541) 882-3500).

If you have a SmartHub account, you can monitor your energy usage through the member portal online or through our SmartHub app.

We offer a variety of payment options to help with budgeting:

  • Prepaid Program – allows you to choose your payment frequency and pay as you go. You can monitor your energy use and credit balance daily, weekly, or monthly to match your budget.
  • Budget Billing – allows you to make even monthly payments to reduce the impact of seasonal factors that can affect your bill.
  • Auto-Pay – allows you to have payments automatically posted to your credit or debit card or paid from your bank account.