Are local renewable energy projects causing bills to go up?

It is a priority for the OPALCO keep rates affordable for co-op members. OPALCO’s renewable energy projects like the Decatur Community Solar project have paid for by participants who buy into the project or funded by grants. This is also true for other OPALCO programs like rebates (funded by BPA), Switch It Up (USDA funds), and new service installations (paid for by the members installing the new service).

Rates continue to go up due to inflation, the rising costs of power and labor, and to manage the Co-op’s equity position. The Co-op uses equity to borrow federal funds to build essential capital projects, like the multiple submarine cable replacements that are scheduled over the next 10-20 years.