A MESSAGE FROM YOUR GENERAL MANAGER/CEO

GARY RAYBON

The Balance Between Economy and Reliability

“The mission of Wharton County Electric Cooperative is to provide economical and reliable electric energy service to our members and to provide products, services, and leadership that will have a positive influence on the economy of the area that we serve.”

At WCEC, we take our mission statement to heart. From the Board to the newest employee, we are very aware that every dollar that we collect is from you, the members. We have a fiduciary obligation to the members who have trusted us with this wonderful organization to manage the operations in a manner that balances the economical portion and reliability portion of the mission statement. Our goal as a non-profit is to take as little out of your pocket as possible.

As costs continue to rise after changes to energy supply and demand patterns because of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as continued repercussions from Winter Storm Uri, keeping the balance between reliability and economy becomes more difficult. WCEC has been committed to making the lives of every member better, not more expensive, for decades. We strive to provide dependable electricity to our members at the cost of service.  But costs go up; it’s just a fact of life.

After much discussion and deliberation, the Board has approved a 1.0% increase in overall revenue. This rate increase will be in the form of a $3.00 increase in the Customer Service Charge for all accounts. As stated above, the Board and employees do not take this measure lightly but feel it is necessary to maintain and improve the service that WCEC members have come to expect. For details, please see the Official Notice of Rate Change below as published in the January 2022 Texas Co-op Power magazine.

Please feel free to contact me at 979-543-6271 if you have any questions. Thank you for your continued patronage and support of Wharton County Electric Cooperative.

RATE CHANGE Q&A

How much will rates increase?
This rate increase will be in the form of a $3.00 increase in the Customer Service Charge for all accounts. 

Why are rates increasing?
According to a recent rate study, WCEC’s return on invested capital has been slowly decreasing. Additionally, costs continue to rise after changes to energy supply and demand patterns because of the COVID-19 pandemic as well as continued repercussions from Winter Storm Uri. The new rates seek to increase the rate structure on a pro-rata share across all rate categories. 

When will my bill change?
The change will appear on your monthly statements effective February 1, 2022.

How will this rate increase affect the co-op’s profits?
We are a not-for-profit, member-owned cooperative. We exist to serve our members with reliable, affordable power, and any margins (profits) we receive are invested into the electric system or refunded to you, the member-owner of WCEC, in the form of capital credits.

What can I do to reduce my bill?
There are many ways to reduce your energy use. Learn ways to save energy at: MyWCEC.coop/save.

You can also contact us to learn more about energy efficiency and our load management program.