As November brings cooler weather and holiday preparations, we at Clay Electric Co-operative remain dedicated to safe, affordable service for our member-owners. Like other utilities, we face rising energy costs, infrastructure needs and regulatory shifts. This month’s bill reflects rate adjustments from our recent Cost-of-Service Study, done with our lender every five years to ensure fair pricing across all classes.

The Service Availability Charge, once called the Facility Charge, covers fixed costs like poles, wires, labor, substations, transformers, equipment, etc. This charge helps cover the expense of providing our members with power 24/7/365. It rises by $3 for all accounts to offset higher maintenance expenses. Raising this charge helps to ensure reliable service for our members. 

The study also calls for small energy rate increases for All Electric and Grain Drying rates. These match the higher grid demands from heating, cooling and seasonal equipment, keeping costs balanced and equitable.

We are adding a Power Cost Adjustment starting on the November bill for October’s usage. This fluctuating charge is currently absorbed by the cooperative each month on the power bill we receive from our power supplier, Southern Illinois Power Cooperative. Starting this month, we will be billing half the monthly PCA charged us by SIPC. Their mix of coal, gas, wind, solar and other sources sees variable fuel and market costs. By passing through a portion of this cost, we can ensure each member is being billed equitably for their contribution to cooperative system demand and energy usage.

These changes help fund investments like 205 new poles and 6 miles of wire this year, maintaining our 99.94% reliability. We know adjustments add pressure, but they secure our cooperative’s future.

For water members: Attend the Clay County Water annual meeting on Dec. 2, 2025, at Floyd Henson Jr. High School in Flora. Registration starts at 5:30 p.m., with the meeting at 6 p.m. Earn a $10 credit on your next water bill.

Thank you for your support. Check the magazine’s center section for your member number. Three are hidden in Clay Electric News; find yours and call for a $5 bill credit.