At the October board meeting the Wheat Belt Public Power District board of directors approved a rate increase for 2026. This rate increase is expected to bring in an additional 6.6% revenue increase for 2026. This increase in revenue was approved to offset the rising wholesale power costs we have from Tri-State Generation & Transmission. Wheat Belt’s wholesale power costs have increased 10% in the past two years and unfortunately, we are expecting a large increase in wholesale power costs again for 2027.

What does Wheat Belt’s 2026 rate increase mean to you if you don’t change energy consumption habits? Residential customers on average will see an increase of roughly $7.50/month. Irrigation customers will see $300-$800 increase per irrigation season, depending on if you are operating using time of use rate signals.

Changing energy consumption habits…beginning in 2026 nearly all rates have a time of use component meaning energy costs more during peak periods and costs less when energy demand is lower. Meaning you can consume energy at night, in the morning and on Sundays for a lower cost than you can in the middle of the day and in the evening. Check out our rates on our website for more information. And be looking for additional information in your mailbox and on our Facebook page.

Lacey Gulbranson

General Manager/CEO