What to Expect From the 2026 Rate Adjustment: What the adjustment means for you
As your electric cooperative, we are committed to providing you safe, reliable and affordable electricity. While we have not had a blanket rate increase since 2018, we are finding it difficult to maintain the safe and reliable electricity you depend on without making changes. As such, we will be adjusting rates for all classes within our membership.
Why is this necessary?
This adjustment will help us continue to manage rising wholesale power costs, as well as the cost of resources and materials and to maintain our commitment to a resilient, sustainable energy system.
Approximately 66% of Itasca-Mantrap’s annual expenses go toward purchasing power from our wholesale provider, Great River Energy. Their rates are increasing by 3% this year, continuing a trend we have absorbed since 2018. Residential members have been protected from these rising costs for more than seven years, even as commercial and industrial accounts saw periodic adjustments.
At the same time, the costs of poles, transformers, trucks, safety gear and technology have all increased. Making an adjustment now helps us maintain reliable service, reinvest in our system and avoid large, unpredictable increases in the future. This step keeps your cooperative strong and ready for what comes next.
When will this increase go into effect?
This rate adjustment will be effective April 1, 2026. However, you won’t see the updated rates on your bill until May.
Our commitment to our membership
We know that any rate increase affects you and your family, and we are taking steps to help lessen the impact, such as:
Budget billing options: Levelized billing and flexible payment arrangements can help smooth out seasonal changes and unexpected expenses.
Load management and energy efficiency: Members can reduce monthly bills by participating in load management programs such as water heater and air conditioning control or by using available energy efficiency rebates and tools.
Energy assistance programs: We partner with state and local agencies to connect qualifying households with financial support, weatherization benefits and other community resources.
Looking ahead
Rate adjustments are never easy, and we understand the concern they can create. Our commitment is to stay transparent, address challenges early and communicate clearly as we move forward. Please continue monitoring our newsletter and social channels for future updates regarding rates. These changes reflect careful analysis and ensure each rate class pays only its fair share for the cost of providing electric service. Nothing more and nothing less.
We remain focused on keeping costs as low as possible, investing in a reliable and modern electric system and supporting the communities we serve. Thank you for your understanding, your support and your membership. Together, we will continue to power our communities forward.
Visit our 2026 Rate Adjustment FAQ page to see the changes that will take effect April 2026.