CEO’s Message – October 2025

Being Part of a Co-Op Means Giving Back

In this month’s issue of Ruralite, you may notice that we tried to have a little fun with the content and tone of our local pages; a bit of community celebration balanced with a bit of celebration about what it means to be a co-op.

As the warm days become shorter and cool nights become longer, it seemed like a good time to enjoy the last vestiges of summer, because winter is coming… and it may show up in these pages sooner rather than later.

We have heard from BPA that there will be multiple incremental increases to Tier 1 power rates, as well as transmission rates, over the next 3 years.

We are not sure exactly when all of these increases will occur, or how much they will be at each step of the way.

This 2-pronged rate increase, as well as the continued cost increases that we are seeing across nearly all of our materials purchasing, makes it painfully clear that a Columbia REA rate increase is on the horizon as well.

We will keep you informed every step of the way, and we will do everything in our power to keep that increase as small as possible.

Full transparency is also part of what it means to be part of a co-op. What is important to you is important to us. It has been that way for our entire history, and that will not change.

It is also why we continue to support our community events like the local fairs, the livestock auctions, the Balloon Stampede in the spring, all of our local schools, and many other events and organizations.

If we can do just a little something to help carry these cherished community traditions forward for future generations, then Columbia REA will continue to be successful and our communities will continue to thrive.

Columbia REA has become a part of the fabric of our communities, not just because we provide electricity, but also by being involved, getting out there, and giving back. It’s 1 of the reasons I love being part of a co-op, and I hope you feel the same way as we do.

Best,
Scott Peters, CEO

PS. We are very grateful to everyone who dropped off goodies at our Walla Walla Service Center as a thank-you for our support at the Walla Walla livestock auction. Our entire staff enjoyed all of the delicious treats! It is our pleasure to support all the kids and do our part to acknowledge the countless hours they put in raising these animals.

Thank you!