Changes Coming to Your CVEC Power Bill

Canadian Valley Electric Cooperative members will soon notice a change in their Power Cost Adjustment (PCA). This adjustment will appear on February or March bills, depending on your billing cycle. The PCA charge is increasing by 4%. As a not-for-profit cooperative, CVEC is committed to transparency about the factors that influence your electric bill. The PCA, listed as a line item on your bill, reflects the true cost of generating and delivering electricity to your home. There is no markup. This is not a rate increase, it is a direct pass-through charge for the wholesale electricity we purchase from Western Farmers Electric Cooperative (WFEC). Every dollar collected goes directly toward purchasing wholesale power for our members.

Why is the Power Cost Adjustment increasing?

WFEC, our generation and transmission provider, is facing rising Southwest Power Pool (SPP) capacity requirements. To maintain reliability across the region, WFEC is required to add new generation resources and upgrade parts of the transmission system. In addition, supply chain disruptions, infrastructure improvements, and maintaining a diverse fuel mix for reliability are increasing their operating costs. Because CVEC must purchase wholesale electricity from WFEC, these rising costs are reflected directly in the PCA.

While the PCA increase is driven by factors outside our control, there are steps you can take to better manage your electric bill. Avoid heavy energy usage during peak demand hours, 6 a.m. to 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., since your demand charge is based on the highest one-hour usage during those times. When possible, run appliances such as dishwashers or a washer and dryer during off-peak times. Use energy efficient appliances, turn off unused devices, and consider smart thermostats for better control of heating and cooling. Weatherproofing your home with proper insulation and sealing can also reduce energy costs.

If you have questions about your bill or the PCA charge, contact CVEC at 405-382-3680.