Effective bills mailed on or after January 1, 2027, all rate classes for Northwestern Rural Electric Cooperative will see a slight increase to its generation & transmission charges (kWh). These charges are associated with the amount of electricity you use each month. You are able to manage and lower this amount through energy efficiency and conservation efforts.
On January 1, 2026, the residential rate (single phase) will see an increase of less than one cent per kWh - or - will increase from $0.11948 per kWh to $0.1262 per kWh. The average monthly bill for a residential member is expected to increase by less than $9, depending on usage with this rate change.
More information about your specific rate class can be found on our Rates page.
The Service Availability charge for each rate class will not be increasing on January 1, 2026.
Answers to some frequent questions about our rates appear below. Click a question to read its answer. Click the Expand All button to access all of the answers at one time.
Northwestern REC is a not-for-profit cooperative owned by you, the members, and governed by a Board of Directors who are nominated and elected by the membership. Your cooperative is accountable to consumer-members, not outside investors, and works hard to provide reliable power and quality customer service at the lowest possible cost.
Inflation and increased demand have raised wholesale power and delivery costs beyond what the cooperative can absorb. As a member-owned, not-for-profit, at cost-utility, Northwestern REC passes savings along to members—and must also pass along costs it cannot absorb.
Your board of directors and co-op staff examined every option before approving the Jan. 1, 2027 rate increase.
Your Board of Directors set the rates after reviewing a rate study prepared by an independent third-party consultant.
There are no changes at Northwestern REC that warrant an increase to that portion of the rate.
The $2 monthly increase helps cover rising costs for the system that delivers electricity to your home. This includes equipment like meters, transformers, poles, and electric lines. This fixed charge covers part of the cost of keeping electricity available, even during months when you use no electricity.
The Cooperative’s Board of Directors are elected by members to represent their interests and those of the cooperative. The board works to see that Northwestern REC operates conservatively and is efficient in its operations and management, making decisions after considering the best interests of all cooperative members. The board thoroughly reviewed all aspects of the proposals. Members may contact board members at any time via electronic means or phone call to express their concerns. Send your email to info@northwesternrec.com.
We're always looking for ways to manage costs, which may include volume purchasing, energy efficiency programs, and the implementation of new technologies. We also remain committed to providing reliable service to our members. Doing so requires that system maintenance programs, such as right-of-way clearing and pole inspection, be continued and investments be made to train our employees, replace aging equipment, and rebuild and upgrade our electric distribution system.
Energy efficiency and conservation can reduce your electricity use and the usage-based portion of your bill. The fixed service availability charge does not depend on usage. Contact Member Services for the billing options, efficiency programs, and qualifying payment assistance programs.
Some general energy savings tips include:
- Reduce your water heater temp from 140 degrees to 120 – the recommended setting according to the U.S. Department of Energy – to save about $2 per month.>
- Use cold water for laundry. The average home does 3-5 loads per week. Switching to cold water could save $6 to $13.75 per month.
- Don’t leave your Keurig coffee maker on all day. Doing so would cost almost $9 per month.
Programs are available for eligible consumers who need assistance with their electric bill. A list of resources is online: Paying my bill & Payment Assistance
You can also call member services at 800-352-0014.
Ensuring your future electric needs and protecting our precious natural resources are two things we take very seriously. We are proud to be part owners of the William F. Matson Generating Station at Lake Raystown, the first hydroelectric project in Pennsylvania to be certified by the Low Impact Hydropower Institute, a non-profit organization that helps ensure environmentally responsible hydro power production.
In an effort to promote energy conservation, we offer free energy audits, as well as free 24/7 electric water heater service and a free electric water heater when needed.
Northwestern REC is a member of the National Rural Electric Cooperative Association (NRECA), which participates in the Ag Energy Working Group, a coalition of 400 organizations focused on generating 25% of our nation’s energy from renewable, homegrown resources by 2025. NRECA also works to develop renewable energy partnerships with the federal government.