Big Horn Rural Electric Company does hereby provide written notice of an overall system increase of $846,310, or 5.06% to be effective February 1, 2026. The increase is driven by the need to pass through a rate increase from our power supplier, Tri-State Generation & Transmission Electric Cooperative. This wholesale power cost increase is expected to be just over $1 million in 2026. Thus, the entirety of the 5.06% system increase will be used to cover this higher wholesale power cost. The allocation of the 2026 rate increase among rate classes is based on a cost-of-service study conducted by an independent rate consultant. The resulting impact on individual members will vary, as monthly bills are influenced by each member’s demand energy consumption (kWh). Consequently, an individual member’s rate change may be either higher or lower than the overall system average increase of 5.06%. The last rate increase to Big Horn Rural Electric Company’s members was January 1, 2024.
Members may file a written complaint stating their objections to the rate adjustment and request a hearing prior to January 31, 2026. The complaint is to be filed at the office of Big Horn Rural Electric Company at 415 S. Street, Basin, WY 82410. Pursuant to W.S. Section 37-17-104, if a complaint signed by not less than five percent (5%) of the member owners in a rate class is filed with Big Horn Rural Electric Company, then a hearing shall be conducted by Big Horn Rural Electric Company’s board of directors, to attempt to resolve the complaint. On written request by a member owner, for the exclusive purpose of preparing a complaint pursuant to the above-mentioned statute, and in compliance with Big Horn Rural Electric Company’s bylaws, Big Horn Rural Electric Company shall provide a list of names and contact information of all member owners included in the rate class of the requesting member owner.
If within two (2) months of final implementation of the retail rate a complaint signed by not less than five percent (5%) of the members owners in any rate class, is filed with Big Horn Rural Electric Company’s board of directors, the board shall have two (2) months from the date of filing to attempt to resolve the complaint. The complaint may be filed with the Wyoming Public Service Commission after the expiration of this two (2) month period. Upon filing of the complaint with the Commission, the Commission shall investigate the rate adjustment. A complaint filed with the Commission shall be resolved pursuant to Commission hearing and enforcement procedures.
The change to each rate class will be provided in an upcoming newsletter. Also, check our website at www.bighornrea.com/rates-rules-and-regulations