Blue Ridge Energy has announced a rate adjustment set to increase the average member bill by five percent, or $7.25 for a typical member using 899 kilowatt-hours (kWh) monthly, effective this November. The cooperative’s Board of Directors approved the adjustment on September 21, 2026, following a comprehensive cost-of-service study that reviewed the impact of significant cost increases.
The primary drivers for this adjustment are the continued rising costs for wholesale power, which Blue Ridge Energy purchases to supply electricity to homes and businesses, and the increasing expenses for electric system materials. Chief Executive Officer Katie Woodle explained the necessity of the adjustment, stating that it is “never easy to pass along a rate adjustment even when it's necessary” for a cooperative operating to provide at-cost electricity. Woodle highlighted that the cooperative has experienced “sustained significant increases in our largest expense: the cost of wholesale power.” Additionally, she noted that the equipment, materials, technology, and other resources required to maintain the electric system and ensure reliable electricity for members have also seen sustained rising costs.
Blue Ridge Energy serves approximately 80,000 member-owners across Caldwell, Watauga, Ashe, and Alleghany counties, with service extending into parts of Avery, Alexander, and Wilkes counties. The cooperative operates as a not-for-profit entity, aiming to provide electricity at cost to its members.
To help mitigate the impact of rising operational expenses, Blue Ridge Energy has engaged in extensive efforts to control costs. Woodle emphasized the role of the cooperative's Propane and Fuels and RidgeLink subsidiaries. These subsidiaries contribute earnings that are then used to help offset costs for electric members. For instance, in 2025, these subsidiaries generated $6.7 million in after-tax net benefit, which was directed back to the parent cooperative. This contribution helped to alleviate some of the cost challenges and maintain rates lower than they would have been otherwise.
Furthermore, Blue Ridge Energy recently renewed its employee-led WorkSmart program, designed to identify additional savings opportunities throughout the organization's day-to-day operations. Since its inception in 2009, this program has generated over $56 million in savings. These savings were achieved through targeted efforts by employees to identify more efficient processes and technologies, allowing the cooperative to operate in a more cost-effective manner.
Recognizing the potential impact of rate adjustments on members, Blue Ridge Energy offers a variety of programs and services designed to help members manage their bills and control costs. These include Budget Billing, which allows members to pay a consistent amount for eleven months with a final true-up in the twelfth month. Another option is FlexPay, a “pay as you go” program that enables members to pay for electricity in daily amounts, thereby avoiding a larger monthly bill. The cooperative also provides a team of energy specialists who are available to help members identify possible inefficiencies within their homes. Additionally, members can utilize Blue Ridge Energy's free Usage Tracker tool, accessible through member portals and the mobile app, to monitor their electricity consumption.
Members can expect to find more detailed information regarding the rate adjustment in the upcoming October member newsletter, *Membership Matters*, which is distributed to all members inside *Carolina Country* magazine.