CEO Corner

Electricity is vital to our everyday needs. From the second we wake up to the second we go to sleep, the world around us requires power. Electricity is the backbone of things we often take for granted. From charging devices to taking a hot shower, it goes well beyond short-term satisfaction – it is essential.

Our team at White River Valley Electric Cooperative (WRVEC) works hard every day to provide affordable, reliable power to our members. This ensures that YOU have light from the flip of a switch.

As a member-owned cooperative, WRVEC does everything in our power to ensure your costs stay reasonable and that electricity remains a great value for our members. It’s not always easy, as there are several factors beyond inflation that impact the price of electricity—some within our control but most beyond it.

Powering our lives comes at a cost. It’s no secret that all of us have seen the results of inflation when we have gone to purchase gas or milk – the price of commodities continues to rise. Our industry is no different. Vital materials to our industry such as trucks, tools, poles, wire, and transformers have increased in prices by as much as 40% in only two years.

To help shoulder the burden of these costs, WRVEC had to increase rates for the first time in seven years this past April. We’ve seen an additional increase to the cost of power for the upcoming year and beyond. After much deliberation, the board of directors voted to readjust the rates effective January 1, 2025. The increase is absolutely necessary, yet minimal at an average of 6%. This accounts for less than 15% in a span of eight years – even in the midst of widespread increases. The new rate offsets increased power costs and help us to maintain an electrical system that meets the growing demands of the communities we serve, and you can be confident that your lights come on every time you hit the switch.

As we continually rely on electricity to power our lives, you can rest assured that we always put YOU – our members – at the forefront. WRVEC will continue to do the right things to power your life reliably with as minimal impact to your pocketbook as we are able. We care about you, the members we serve, and understand that electricity is more than a commodity — it is a necessity.