Over the past three years, Bartholomew County REMC has provided a monthly Wholesale Power Cost Relief credit to help offset the rising wholesale power costs passed on to you through the tracker from our power provider. We created this relief to assist members during a period of persistent inflation and elevated electricity market prices, and we were proud to return these dollars each month to help ease the financial burden on our members.

As we look ahead to 2026, I want to share an important update. Because of significant storm-related expenses this past year, along with increased wholesale rates we do not plan to pass on in 2026, we are unable to extend the relief credit into the new year. Several major weather events caused widespread system damage and required extensive repairs, pole and equipment replacements, and substantial overtime and contractor support. These repairs were critical to restoring service, but they also created unplanned costs that must be absorbed to keep the cooperative financially stable.

Even with these challenges, our board of directors remains focused on keeping rates fair and ensuring our members receive the best value for the service we provide.

While the relief credit concluded at the end of 2025, we expect Hoosier Energy’s Wholesale Power Cost Tracker to decrease significantly on members’ bills beginning in the second quarter of 2026. We remain committed to supporting our members and managing costs responsibly.

After completing financial studies and reviewing long-term projections, we are also pleased to share that BCREMC will not implement a rate increase in 2026 even though the rates we pay our wholesale power provider will increase in April 2026. Holding rates steady despite higher costs, major storm restoration expenses, and ongoing system investments shows the strength of our financial position and our commitment to affordability. This is especially significant considering BCREMC has not raised rates since 2018.

Thank you for being a valued member of BCREMC. Our board and the entire BCREMC team appreciate your continued trust and support, and we look forward to serving you in 2026 as we begin a new year together.