CEO’s Message – December 2025

Time out! It’s Christmas!

There is a lot going on in the world right now. A wise and perhaps a bit confused man once said, “In these times I don’t know what I want; or perhaps I don’t want what I know and want what I don’t know.” I think a lot of people might share his confusion right now.

Uncertainty has crept into our lives. We have a lot to sort out, and plenty we could talk about right here, right now. But that would take more time and more space than is available here, and… well, Christmas is coming. So let’s put a pin in all that.

I love Christmas, and I want to wish a very Merry Christmas and a Happy Holiday to all of our members and your families, and take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude for your continued trust and support in Columbia REA, our staff and management team, and me. This time of year reminds us of the importance of community, family, and the many blessings we share. I hope each of you are able to enjoy these blessings, and the warmth and joy that the holidays bring.

I do have to address one bit of business, and that is the rate increase coming up next month. That is a Christmas gift that I wish I did not have to give. Unfortunately, it has become a necessity due to rising costs from BPA, as well as inflationary pressures driving up the cost of materials required to maintain and improve our system. These challenges are impacting utilities across the nation, and we are no exception. For more details on the rate adjustment coming in January, please have a look at pages 4 and 5 of this issue. And as always, if you have questions or thoughts you’d like to share about this or any other Columbia REA-related business, please give me a call.

Our team works tirelessly to manage costs, improve efficiency, and plan for the future so that we can deliver the reliable service you expect and deserve. Your trust motivates us to uphold these standards every day.

But today, I am looking forward to the Holidays, a time to look back and be thankful. Despite the challenges we all may be facing, I believe there is still much to be grateful for—our families, our friends, our communities, and the opportunity to serve each other. This season, it is my hope that we are all fortunate enough to be able to spend time doing the things we love with the people we love, in the places we love and call home, and find strength in these gifts.

On behalf of everyone here, I would like to wish you and your loved ones a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Thank you for being an essential part of Columbia REA’s continued success, as well as an integral part of the communities that we ALL serve. We look forward to serving you in 2026 and beyond.

Happy Holidays,

Scott Peters
CEO