Manager Articles

OHIO COOPERATIVE LIVING

October 2026

Reinforcing our commitment to transparency and long-term reliability

As CEO of Darke Rural Electric Cooperative, I want to speak directly to you — our members — about an important update you will see on your November electric bill. Because we are a member-owned cooperative, transparency isn’t just a value we talk about, it’s a responsibility we carry every day. That’s why I want you to hear from me first about what’s changing and why. 

This year, our cooperative will implement a 6% rate adjustment and introduce a new, clearer bill format. 

While the overall rate adjustment averages approximately 6% across the cooperative, the impact will vary by rate class and individual member. The adjustment is not being applied to just one part of the electric bill. Instead, the increase is being shared among the monthly availability charge, the local distribution charge, and the generation and transmission charge. This approach helps ensure that our rates more accurately reflect the different costs involved in providing safe, reliable electricity to our members. 

What is within our control is how openly we communicate with you. The updated bill structure is designed to give you a more detailed look at what goes into providing safe, dependable electric service. You will now see separate line items for the generation and transmission (G&T) charge, local distribution charge, and availability charge. Breaking these components out is part of our commitment to clarity — helping you understand how each part of the electric system contributes to your total bill. 

Our cooperative exists for one purpose: to serve you. We don’t have shareholders, and we don’t operate for profit. Every dollar we collect is reinvested into the reliability, safety, and long-term strength of the system you depend on. The changes we are making support that mission and help ensure we can continue delivering the quality service you expect and deserve. 

You’ll find a detailed Q&A that explains each part of the updated bill and answers questions you may have about the rate adjustment on our Understanding upcoming changes to your electric bill page. I encourage you to read through it and reach out if you’d like more information or have further questions. Additionally, we invite members to join us on Wednesday, October 28, at 6:00 p.m. in our Kitchel Community Room at Darke REC for a member town hall meeting, where you can ask questions and hear updates from co-op leaders. Your cooperative is here to support you, and we remain committed to keeping you informed every step of the way. 

Thank you for your trust, your membership, and your partnership in powering our community.