The cost of delivering power to Eastern Illini members has been steadily increasing due to rising expenses across the industry. As a result, providing members with safe, reliable electricity will cost an average of 3.5 percent more in 2026. As a part of this rate change, the EIEC Board of Directors has also approved a change that aims to collect 100 percent of our distribution fixed costs between the base and demand billing components. This change will also lower the kilowatt hour (kWh) billing component. These changes reflect the increasing expenses of doing business while striving to bring fairness and balance to all members of our co-op.
This latest rate adjustment continues the path that our board began in 2024, when we added the demand component to all rate classes. The new rate structure will take effect with January electric use, and the new rates will appear on the bills distributed in early February.
Increasing rates is never a simple or easy decision, but it is necessary to ensure the future wellbeing of the cooperative and allow us to continue reliably providing power to all our members.
If you'd like more information about the changes, or an analysis showing your individual impact, please contact us at 800-824-5102 or info@eiec.coop.