During the October 2023 board meeting, the Board of Directors made the tough decision to implement a rate adjustment effective February 1, 2024, which will reflect on your March 2024 bill. The decision was not taken lightly and discussed at length. However, with rising inflationary costs on supplies and other goods the cooperative regularly uses, our financial models revealed a necessary rate increase. 
            The majority of the rising costs are considered fixed costs to Prairie Energy (PECO), resulting in board approval of an adjustment to the facility charge only, and not to the energy rate. Fixed costs remain the same regardless of other factors or the level of sales. The facilty charge on your monthly bill is what supports the cooperative in covering the cost of fuel as well  as poles, wires, meters, insulators, transformers, and so on. These items need  to be maintained to continue providing members with safe and reliable electricity, regardless of the amount of power used.
            The last time PECO raised the facility charge was 20 years ago. As mentioned above, there have been significant increases to cost of materials, especially the last two years. The co-op has seen and endured these prices as long as possible - however, we are unable to sustain the rates as they are with the current market conditions.

If you are on a fixed income or would like to seek payment assistance, we are here to help. You may reach out to us at the office or view the resources listed on our website (prairieenergy.coop). On the main menu click on My Account and scroll down to payment assistance. Other resources to potentially help lower your bill include free energy assessments, our free mobile app SmartHub that tracks your energy usage, and our rebates on new energy efficient items.

The staff at Prairie Energy is always here to help members. We are more than willing to walk through your bill with you or answer any questions you may have on this facility charge adjustment.