Fast-moving industries have presented new challenges at East Central Electric Cooperative. Under the leadership of our member-elected Board of Trustees, we are adapting to face them head-on.
Effective September 1, the Board of Trustees enacted three new policies pertaining to electric vehicles and grow facilities.
The electric vehicle rate change will allow members who meet certain conditions to take advantage of a rate decrease on the first 400kWh during specified times each month.
To participate in this benefit, farm and residential members must have a cooperative approved Level 2 charger with programable charging capabilities. The charger must be programmed to charge from 10 p.m. to 5 a.m. daily.
During this EV charging period, the first 400 kWh used per month will be charged at $0.05 per kWh.
All excess usage during the period each month will be charged at the standard rate. This benefit can be taken alongside our rebates on qualifying EV chargers.
This change encourages EV owners to charge their vehicles during off-peak hours. Moving this usage off-peak benefits all members during peak usage hours of the day.
Members who are interested in taking advantage of this benefit or learning more information are encouraged to contact our Member and Public Relations Department.
Two changes have also been made to help the cooperative address the increased load demand caused by new grow facilities.
The first, applicable to all grow facilities of 20 kW or greater, is an additional capacity charge of $1.00 per kW of billing demand.
The second, pertaining to new construction, states that the Cooperative will construct a new extension to serve a grow facility provided that the member pay in advance a non-refundable aid in construction of 100% of the construction cost plus $50 per kVa of installed capacity.
These rapidly growing industries have created some challenges for electric cooperatives. As autonomous and independent organizations, electric co-ops across the state are reviewing practices and policies and are adjusting their operations on a local level to adequately respond to the needs of this developing industry.
East Central Electric General Manager Tim Smith said, “We are concerned with the best interest of all our members. Our Board of Trustees has worked diligently to ensure we can continue to deliver safe, reliable and affordable power to all our residential, commercial and industrial members.”
Members who have questions about any of these changes are encouraged to call the Cooperative at 918-756-0833.