Aila Boyd
aboyd@mainstreetnewspapers.com
Craig-Botetourt Electric Cooperative plans to seek approval from the Virginia State Corporation Commission for a streamlined increase in electric rates that would take effect for bills rendered on or after May 1, according to a legal advertisement.
The cooperative is expected to file its application with the commission on March 13 in Case No. PUR-2026-00003, pursuant to sections of the Code of Virginia governing electric cooperative rate proceedings and the commission’s rules for streamlined and general rate cases.
If approved, the proposal would increase CBEC’s annual revenues by approximately $563,000, an overall increase of about 3.5 percent. Cooperative officials said the additional revenue would support continued investment in the electric system, help cover rising power and operating costs, meet financial obligations, and maintain reliable customer service.
Based on pro forma test year results, the proposed rates would produce a Times Interest Earned Ratio of 2.17. Impacts on individual bills would vary depending on usage.
Under the proposal, an average residential member using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month would see an increase of about $7.31 per month, or 3.68 percent, based on the current power cost adjustment rate.
Most of the revenue increase would come from the residential rate schedule, which would rise by about $515,000, or 3.7 percent. Commercial service would increase by approximately $21,000, or 3.8 percent, while large power service would rise by about $19,000, or 2.4 percent. Lighting schedules would increase by roughly $8,300, or 6.6 percent. No increase is proposed for other revenue.
CBEC is not proposing changes to its overall rate structure and does not plan to roll wholesale power cost riders into base rates. However, the cooperative does propose adjusting electricity supply rates to reflect current wholesale power supply costs.
Members and other affected parties have the right to request a hearing within 30 days of the application’s filing, or by April 13. Requests should be directed to the clerk of the State Corporation Commission, c/o Document Control Center, P.O. Box 2118, Richmond, VA 23218.
The commission may hold a hearing and could approve, modify or deny the proposed rates, or adopt different rate designs or tariff revisions. If objections are received from fewer than specified thresholds outlined in state law, CBEC may petition the commission to make the rates permanent without a hearing no less than 30 days after the application is filed.
The application and supporting documents may be reviewed using Case No. PUR-2026-00003 on the commission’s website or inspected during regular business hours at the cooperative’s business office in Virginia. Copies also may be obtained at no charge by submitting a written request to counsel for the cooperative.