Black River Electric Cooperative has announced a rate adjustment effective for bills due on April 10th. This change comes as a response to the rising costs of wholesale power, driven by increasing demand for energy and higher costs to generate it.

The cost of power is BREC’s largest single expenditure by far. When that increase is combined with material costs which have risen as much as 110%, it requires BREC to adjust rates. The service availability charge will increase by $5 per month and kilowatt-hour costs will also increase slightly. Combined, the increase amounts to approximately thirty-four cents per day for a residential member using 1,500 kwh per month. Every rate class will experience an increase. A complete list of new rates is published on www.brec.coop/rates.

As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, BREC returns any margins to its members so there’s no incentive to raise rates more than necessary. “Our goal is always to serve you, our members. While we understand that rate increases are never easy, this adjustment is necessary to continue providing the high-quality service you depend on,” says General Manager Paul Montgomery. Despite this rate adjustment, BREC continues to have some of the lowest rates in the country and the cost of electricity remains a great value considering all the ways we depend on it.

BREC offers resources that help members take control of their energy bills. The Smarthub mobile app allows members to track their usage daily as well as provides an easy way to pay. “101 Easy Ways to Save Energy & Money” is a free brochure that helps remind members of simple ways to save energy. Download it from our website at www.brec.coop/energy-efficiency.

BREC offers a variety of payment options; members can choose one that works best for their budget. Prepaid Billing allows members to pay as they go. Monitor your energy use and add credit to the balance daily, weekly or monthly to match your budget. Budget Billing helps avoid bill fluctuations by taking an average of the previous 12 month’s usage and calculating an even monthly payment amount. Eligibility requirements, contact BREC’s Billing Department for more information. EBill allows members to receive their monthly bill via email the same day it processes, allowing extra time to pay before the 10th.

For more information about the new rates effective in April, visit our website at www.brec.coop/rates