Duck River Electric has announced a 1.25% rate adjustment effective October 1, 2026. The actual impact will vary based on energy use and account type.

The average Duck River Electric residential household uses 1,365 kilowatt-hours per month. A member using that amount of energy in October 2025 was billed $152.85. In October 2026, the same energy use will cost $155.14, a difference of $2.29. These comparisons do not include other TVA charges that contribute to a member’s total bill.

“No one wants to see costs increase, and we understand the impact that can have on the families and businesses we serve,” said DREMC President & CEO James Wright. “Our commitment to our members goes beyond keeping the lights on. It means we must also be good stewards of the cooperative and make the investments necessary to provide safe and reliable electricity today and for generations to come.”

The rate adjustment comes at a time when electricity prices are rising nationwide. According to the U.S. Energy Information Administration, average residential electricity prices are projected to increase by 5.6% in 2026 and another 2.1% in 2027. In comparison, Duck River Electric’s 1.25% rate adjustment is significantly lower than the projected national increase for 2026, helping keep local electric rates affordable.

Why the increase
Operations and maintenance costs represent the second-largest share of DREMC’s expenses, behind only the cost of purchasing power from TVA. These costs are associated with the infrastructure required to provide electric service, including poles, wires, transformers, meters, substations and billing systems.

“Those costs have risen significantly due to inflation, affecting everything from transformers, bucket trucks and fuel to keep them running to paper, postage, IT equipment and basic office supplies needed to perform daily tasks,” said DREMC President & CEO James Wright.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the annual inflation rate reported in July 2026 was 3.4%.

“Our members deserve to understand how inflation affects DREMC and the real costs involved in delivering electricity to homes and businesses,” Wright said.

DREMC values transparency with its members, particularly when it comes to communicating openly about costs, challenges, decisions and infrastructure investments. More information about energy rates is available at here.

Resources to help manage energy costs

Duck River Electric offers several programs and resources to help members manage their energy expenses throughout the year:

Project HELP: Members experiencing financial hardship may qualify for emergency bill payment assistance through DREMC’s Project HELP program. Learn more and apply here.

Levelized Billing: This program averages energy costs throughout the year to help reduce seasonal fluctuations and provide more predictable monthly bills. Learn more about Levelized Billing and apply online at www.dremc.com.

EnergyRight Program: In partnership with TVA, DREMC offers energy-saving resources, rebates and financing opportunities for qualifying home-efficiency improvements through the EnergyRight program. Visit EnergyRight.com for details.