Understanding Your New Electric Rates in 2025
Beginning May 1, 2025, many of you will see an increase in your electric rates. Although the increases affect each account differently, in total, we are increasing our revenue by 3.09% with this rate increase. We understand that any change in pricing can raise questions, and we want to provide a transparent look at why this adjustment is necessary and what it means for you.
Like you, we have faced rising costs during the past 3 years. While we continue to invest in grid improvements, reliability upgrades, and wildfire mitigation efforts to ensure safe and dependable power delivery, we have seen critical materials increase in cost at unprecedented rates. Our material costs have increased by approximately 75%.
Additionally, our electricity costs from Bonneville Power Administration are rising. In 2025, we will see a 6.47% increase. These power supply costs are projected to continue to rise as we enter a new power supply contract in 2028. Even with these increased costs, BPA continues to provide reliable energy at a consistently low price compared to the rest of the country.
Below is how each account type is affected:
Residential Accounts
The average household sees an estimated increase of $9.52 a month, depending on use. Specifically:
- The energy rate increases from $0.09866 to $0.1035 per kilowatt-hour.
- The monthly delivery charge increases from $48.50 to $51 a month.
Low-Use Residential Accounts
The average low-use residential account sees a monthly increase of $6.08. Specifically:
- The energy rate increases from $0.1150 to $0.1236 per kWh.
- The monthly delivery charge increases from $48.50 to $51 a month.
Irrigation Accounts
There are no rate changes to these accounts.
General Service Accounts
Adjustments vary based on service type and use patterns. The specific changes are:
- The energy rate increases from $0.0822 to $0.0863 per kWh.
- The demand rate increases from $9.55 to $10.03 per kW.
- The monthly delivery charge increases from $62 to $65.50 a month.
Industrial Accounts
Adjustments vary based on service type and use patterns. The specific changes are:
- The energy rate increases from $0.0567 to $0.0595 per kWh.
- The demand rate increases from $9.70 to $10.20 per kW.
- The monthly delivery charge increases from $92.75 to $97.50 a month.
Generator Accounts
We are implementing a $200 monthly delivery charge. There are no changes to energy or demand rates.
Public Street & Highway Lighting Accounts
We are increasing the monthly delivery charge to $19 per device.
As a not-for-profit cooperative, our goal is not to generate profits but to cover costs and invest in the future of our community’s power needs. Wasco Electric Cooperative has a long history of being financially prudent with your money, and we are continuing this tradition. We remain committed to financial responsibility, member support, and providing affordable electricity while ensuring safety and grid reliability.
We appreciate your understanding and support as we continue working to provide you with safe, reliable, and cost-effective electricity. For more details, call our office at (541) 296-2740.
Lindsay Forepaugh