As a follow-up to last month’s discussion on rising costs and upcoming rate adjustments, I want to focus on one major factor affecting electric utilities everywhere — the increasing cost of equipment and materials needed to keep your power reliable.

When electricity is working properly, the infrastructure behind it often goes unnoticed. Poles, wires, transformers, substations, and protective equipment operate quietly around the clock. Maintaining and replacing this equipment is essential — and today, it costs far more than it did just a few years ago. See examples on the next page.

In addition to higher prices, supply chain delays have become common. Equipment that once arrived in weeks may now take months. To ensure we can respond quickly to outages or emergencies, LaGrange County REMC must plan further ahead and sometimes carry additional inventory, which also adds to overall costs.

Labor costs have increased as well. Skilled lineworkers, engineers, and contractors are in high demand nationwide. Competitive wages, training, and safety equipment are necessary to attract qualified professionals and ensure work is done safely. While these expenses have grown, safety and reliability will never be compromised.

For LaGrange County REMC, managing these challenges requires careful planning. Our membership has remained relatively stable, meaning rising costs cannot be spread across a growing customer base. As a result, we must periodically adjust rates to recover necessary expenses while remaining mindful of affordability.

As shared in my column last month, bills issued in March will be about 10% higher than a year ago. This rate increase will affect all customer classes. For the majority of you in the residential rate class, this means you will see your electric bill go up by $12 to $16 per month. A portion of that increase reflects the rising cost of equipment and materials needed to maintain reliable service. Additional details will be shared in next month’s Indiana Connection.

Even with these increases, electricity remains one of the best values in your home, providing comfort, convenience, and reliability every hour of every day. As a cooperative, LaGrange County REMC remains committed to transparency, responsible planning, and putting our members first — today and for the years ahead.