Beginning with bills issued on or after May 1, Rappahannock Electric Cooperative (REC) members will see an increase in the power cost adjustment (PCA), which reflects the cost of electricity REC purchases on its members’ behalf.
This change will increase costs by approximately $9.81 for every 1,000 kilowatt-hours (kWh) used, meaning higher use results in a greater impact to the overall bill.
The PCA reflects the cost of wholesale power purchased by the Cooperative from Old Dominion Electric Cooperative (ODEC). As a distribution cooperative, REC delivers electricity to homes and businesses but does not generate it.
What’s Driving the Increase
The increase is primarily driven by:
- Higher energy demand during the winter, including prolonged periods of extreme cold, which increased electricity use
- Rising wholesale energy costs, driven by fuel markets and regional demand
- Projected compliance costs tied to state energy policies, that require power generators to purchase carbon allowances.
REC worked to reduce the impact on members by passing through $4.5 million in margin stabilization funds received from ODEC in January 2026. This lowered the overall increase by approximately 4%, reflecting our continued commitment to affordability.
“We know that any increase in costs can place added strain on our members, and we take that seriously,” said Casey Hollins, managing director – communications and public relations. “Many families are already facing difficult decisions when it comes to managing monthly expenses. At REC, we’re here to help, whether that’s through programs, tools or one-on-one support, while continuing to provide safe, reliable service our members can count on.”
REC Programs to Help Members Manage Their Bill
Higher electric bills can be difficult, especially as many households are already managing rising costs, so REC offers tools and support to help members stay in control of your energy use and manage costs.
REC encourages members to explore the options below or connect with the Cooperative’s member services team at myrec.coop or by calling the Cooperative directly. The Cooperative will also help connect members with resources available in their community and across the state.
Members can earn bill credits with the Summer Savings Plan.
Enrolled members can reduce energy use during peak times from June to September and earn $1.75 in bill credits for every kilowatt-hour (kWh) saved. Small changes can add up quickly. Learn more at myrec.coop/summersavings.
REC offers flexible billing options.
Prepay and Budget Billing can help reduce surprises and give members more control over when and how they pay. Explore options at myrec.coop/payment-choices.
Members can monitor their energy use.
Tools in MyREC SmartHub make it easy to track energy use, identify trends and understand what’s driving bills and help members make informed decisions. Visit myrec.coop/myrecsmarthub.
Access additional financial assistance resources.
REC connects members with local organizations and statewide programs that may be able to help with energy costs. Visit myrec.coop/heretohelp to explore available resources or contact the Cooperative for guidance.
About Rappahannock Electric Cooperative
Serving nearly 185,000 connections across portions of 22 Virginia counties, REC is a pillar in its communities, with over 18,000 miles of power lines extending from the Blue Ridge Mountains to the Chesapeake Bay. For more information about REC, please visit www.myrec.coop. Follow REC on Facebook, X, Instagram, LinkedIn and YouTube.
Information from a release.
