Black River Electric Cooperative has announced a rate adjustment effective for bills due on April 10, 2026. 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 service availability charge will increase by $3 per month and kilowatt-hour costs will also increase slightly. Combined, this 2% increase amounts to approximately 15 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. “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

A Message From Your Manager - Paul Montgomery, BREC CEO

Dear Members, as your Cooperative's CEO, I want to speak with you openly about an issue that affects every household, farm, and business we serve: rising electric rates.

Like many electric cooperatives across the country, we are experiencing increased costs from our wholesale power supplier. The price of generating and delivering electricity has risen due to higher fuel costs, increased demand, and investments required to maintain a reliable regional power system. Growing electricity demand across our region also requires new generation resources and additional transmission facilities, and the cost of building and maintaining that infrastructure is reflected in the wholesale power rates we pay. These wholesale power costs make up the largest portion of your electric bill, and changes at that level directly impact our rates.

At the same time, we are making necessary improvements in our local electric infrastructure. A portion of the equipment that delivers power to your home—poles, lines, transformers, and meters—must be upgraded or replaced to ensure reliability, safety, and resilience. These improvements help reduce outages, support growing load, strengthen the system against severe weather, and prepare our grid for future technologies and energy needs. While these projects add cost in the short term, they are essential to providing dependable service for years to come.

As a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative, our goal is not to generate profits but to cover the cost of providing safe, reliable electricity. Every decision we make is guided by what is in the best long-term interest of our members. After careful review, the necessary rate adjustment means that the average member will see an increase of approximately 2% in overall power costs.

Beginning with bills due April 10^th, the service availability charge will increase by $3 per month and kilowatt-hour costs will also increase slightly. Combined, this 2% increase amounts to approximately 15 cents more per day ($4.50 per month) for residential members using 1,500 kwh per month.  If you have any questions or concerns about this rate adjustment or how it will affect your bill, please don’t hesitate to reach out to our member service team. 

We recognize that higher electric bills can be challenging, and we do not take rate adjustments lightly. Please know that we are committed to transparency and to working on your behalf. We also encourage members to take advantage of energy efficiency programs, billing options, and assistance resources that may help manage energy costs. Visit brec.coop for more information.

Thank you for your continued trust in your electric cooperative. We are proud to serve you and remain dedicated to keeping the lights on safely, reliably, and as affordably as possible.