Rates

Expressed as "kW" or "kilowatts", demand is defined as the rate at which a member consumes electricity at a given time.  Demand can be thought of as the speedometer reading in your car.  It is the rate at which energy is being consumed.

The amount of electricity used as measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh), multiplied by the current rate.

The facility charge represents a cooperative member’s equal share of our fixed costs, or those costs to purchase, build, inspect and maintain power lines, substations, equipment and buildings – the infrastructure to provide you with reliable electricity, no matter how much energy, or kilowatt-hours, you actually use. 

The amount of electricity used as measured in kWh, multiplied by the current off-peak rate. Certain heating and water heating systems under load management may qualify for a lower rate for electricity used during periods when the demand is less.

The PCA represents costs to generate electricity that are passed on to OEC by Dairyland Power Cooperative, our power supplier, that are beyond what was projected to be collected through the normal rate structure.

Each month OEC compares the amount and cost of power purchased and sold to our annual budget.  Any variations in the actual versus projected power costs go into a formula that sets the PCA charge.  As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, all members share in the increased costs of electric energy, even when those costs are outside the control of the cooperative.  The goal of the PCA is to help collect the full cost of wholesale power purchased from Dairyland Power for our members.