Built for stability

Keeping electricity flowing around the clock requires careful planning, significant infrastructure, and a dedicated workforce. From power generation to poles, wires, and line crews, every part of the system works together to serve homes, businesses, farms, and communities across Cass County Electric Cooperative’s (CCEC) growing service area.

The cost of electricity is influenced by many factors, including construction materials, equipment, fuel, and the safe delivery of power. In recent years, those costs have increased nationwide due to inflation, supply-chain challenges, and higher market prices. Even so, CCEC has maintained a strong record of rate stability by planning ahead and managing costs responsibly. In fact, increasing only about 1.2 cents per kilowatt-hour in the last 10 years.

Rates at CCEC are set locally by a board of directors elected by the membership. These directors carefully balance reliability, safety, affordability, and long-term financial health when making decisions. As members themselves, board members pay the same electric rates as everyone they serve, reinforcing accountability and transparency.

That member-driven approach continues to deliver value. CCEC’s average selling price is 11.7 cents per kilowatt-hour, below the statewide average of 11.9 cents per kilowatt-hour. For reference, the average residential electricity price in the U.S. in 2025 was 17.8 cents per kilowatt hour. System growth within the cooperative also helps spread fixed costs across more members, supporting stable rates while allowing continued investment in infrastructure and technology.

Behind the scenes, CCEC actively manages wholesale power costs on behalf of its members. Minnkota Power Cooperative, CCEC’s wholesale power provider, is implementing a temporary energy surcharge beginning April 1 through Dec. 31, 2026, to recover unexpected costs incurred in 2025. These costs were driven by extended maintenance schedules and supply-chain delays that required Minnkota to purchase additional power at higher market prices.

Rather than passing this surcharge directly to members, CCEC is absorbing the cost through long-term planning tools, including purchased power adjustment and deferred revenue. This approach reflects the cooperative’s commitment to rate stability, even as external cost pressures continue across the electric industry.

Providing reliable electric service requires ongoing maintenance, sound financial management, and thoughtful planning for the future. By managing costs, investing in a growing system, and making decisions locally, CCEC remains focused on delivering safe, reliable electricity at the lowest reasonable cost for members today and for generations to come.