Southeast Electric initiates first rate increase since 2010

Southeast Electric Cooperative Manager Tye Williams has discussed the possibility of raising rates during the cooperative's annual meeting and in different Rural Montana articles in recent years.

Over the past few years, everyone has dealt with compounded inflation growth of 21% since 2020, including SECO. SECO has kept rates steady during this time, as they have seen a 35% increase in kWh sales since the end of 2020. However, the power SECO purchases from WAPA and Basin is increasing by more than 7% starting on January 1, 2025. So, starting on January 1, 2025, SECO rates will increase.

As SECO continues to forecast kWh sales growth in 2025, SECO will be implementing an overall 2% rate increase. The base charge for the residential and small commercial rates will increase by $2.00. The large industrial demand charge will increase, and the heat rate will increase from $0.060 per kWh to $0.063 per kWh.

These changes will not affect every bill by 2%, as this is an average increase for the entire system. For any questions on how the rate increase may affect your bill, don't hesitate to call Southeast Electric at 406-775-8762.