Financial projections for 2025 continue to show a steady increase in power supply costs due to the increasing cost of power generation, transmission, and overall rise in the demand for electricity.

In January of this year, the co-op announced a $1 per 1,000 kWh monthly Wholesale Power Cost Adjustment (WPCA) charge; this was the co-op's first WPCA charge since 2019.  Beginning with June's bills, CCEC members will have a WPCA charge of $4.00 per 1,000 kWh. The WPCA is a charge that goes directly to pay for the increasing cost of power. 

With the WPCA increase and summer rate change, an average residential member using 1,000 kWh per month will see a monthly increase of $13.70 in their electric bill.

While the WPCA is a temporary charge, cooperative officials currently project the need for a WPCA throughout 2025 due to energy cost forecasts. However, the charge will be reduced or eliminated if the cooperative’s wholesale power cost decreases. On the flip side, it could rise if wholesale power cost continues to dramatically increase.

“As a not for profit cooperative, our goal at CCEC is to do everything we can to protect our members from rising costs and to provide the most affordable rates possible along with the best reliability and member service," said Jake Joplin, chief executive officer and general manager of CCEC. 

CCEC routinely works with state and federal elected officials regarding energy policy to maintain affordable and reliable electricity. “In addition, the co-op strives to shield members from the extreme rising costs over the past few years with internal efforts to trim operating costs,” he said.

Members can help offset rising costs by taking energy efficiency steps. CCEC members can get efficiency tips, energy savings ideas, and other tools and programs at ccemc.com/MyHome.