Rate Adjustment
For nearly 85 years, Mid-Carolina has delivered what matters most. As a member-owned cooperative, we exist solely to serve you in the most cost-effective way possible.
As a not-for-profit, we increase rates only when essential to continue providing the safe, reliable service you deserve. To address rising costs and ensure continued service, a rate change will take effect in January 2025, with the average residential bill increasing by approximately $21 per month. Please use the information and resources on this page to better understand what this rate adjustment means for you.
How Does This Affect Me
Our rate structure has three parts that make up your total power cost. It’s set up that way to give you more control over your power bill. The three charges highlighted on this residential bill example are where members can expect to see rate adjustments.
- The account charge covers the cost of everything it takes to make sure electricity is available to you, like employees, taxes, metering, operating systems and office buildings. This charge is multiplied by the days in the billing period. Residential members will see their daily charge increase by $0.35, bringing it to $1.30/day.
- The energy charge is where you pay for the amount of electricity you use during a billing period. Because we utilize a three-part rate structure, we’re able to offer a low energy charge for energy used. For residential members, this rate will increase by $0.0125, bringing it to $0.064/kWh.
- The on-peak/demand charge is where you pay for the single highest hour of on-peak electric use in the billing period. For residential members, this rate will increase by $3, bringing it to $15/kW.
Pay As You Go and commercial members have different rates and therefore different rate adjustments. See “Resources, Membership Types & Rates” below for that information.
Residential Rate Adjustment Calculator
Use this residential rate adjustment calculator to estimate your new bill amount. Pay As You Go members can find that calculator below under “Resources.”
Resources
Frequently Asked Questions
What is all this talk about a rate adjustment?
At Mid-Carolina, we’re dedicated to delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy to our members. To continue meeting your needs and prepare for future challenges, a rate adjustment will take effect in January 2025. This change allows us to maintain and improve our infrastructure while addressing rising costs.
Why are electric rates increasing?
We’ve all felt the impact of rising costs, and utilities are no exception. Several factors are driving the need for this rate adjustment, including:
- Inflation: Rising costs of materials, equipment and labor.
- Federal Regulations: New policies increasing operational costs.
- End of Santee Cooper Rate Freeze: One of the most significant impacts comes from Santee Cooper, our primary power supplier. For the past four years, Santee Cooper has been under a rate freeze due to a class-action lawsuit, which is set to expire in December. Unfortunately, this means we, along with other cooperatives, will have these increased costs passed to us.
How will the rate change affect my bill?
The average residential member can expect their bill to increase by about $21 per month, though the actual impact will vary. Members who shift energy use to off-peak hours may see smaller increases.
Below is a breakdown of the new three-part rate structure:
Why does the end of Santee Cooper’s rate freeze affect us?
Mid-Carolina purchases power from suppliers like Santee Cooper. With their rate freeze ending in December, we will face higher power costs, which are passed down to us and, in turn, affect your bill.
How often does Mid-Carolina increase rates?
As a not-for-profit cooperative, we raise rates only when absolutely necessary, after exploring every other option to manage costs.
What does it mean to be a not-for-profit energy provider?
Mid-Carolina operates for the benefit of its members, not to generate profits. Any extra revenues are reinvested in the cooperative to improve services and infrastructure or returned to members through capital credits. Learn more about our not-for-profit model and capital credits.
How can members minimize the impact of the new rate structure?
We encourage members to explore ways to reduce their on-peak usage to minimize the impact of the rate adjustment. Shifting energy-intensive activities – such as drying clothes during off-peak hours, using a timer on your water heater, or using a programmable thermostat – can help lower your costs under the new structure. Learn more about ways to save on your energy bill.
To maximize savings, members can avoid heavy energy use during on-peak hours:
Winter on-peak hours: November 1 to March 31, from 6 a.m. to 9 a.m.
What tools is Mid-Carolina providing to help members plan ahead?
We are committed to keeping members informed and prepared. Tools to help our members include:
- Online Rate Adjustment Calculators: Tools to estimate future bills based on your specific energy usage.
- Sample Bill: A breakdown of the new rates and how they impact member bills.
How is Mid-Carolina supporting members during this time?
Despite rising costs, our commitment to delivering safe, reliable and affordable energy remains strong. We will:
- Advocate for policies that benefit our members.
- Continue to share cost-saving measures.
- Provide clear and transparent communication about the rate adjustment.
Where can members get more information or ask questions?
While many of the answers to your questions can be found on this web page, the Mid-Carolina team is here to answer your questions and offer support. Contact Member Services at (803) 749-6555.
Rate Calculators
Residential Rate Adjustment Calculator
Pay As You Go Rate Adjustment Calculator
Membership Types & Rates
Cost Pressures Explained
We all feel it — the pressure of rising prices in every part of our lives, from the grocery store to the gas station. At Mid-Carolina, we feel it too.
Despite rising costs nationwide, we’ve been able to keep our power bills stable for members in recent years. Even as far back as 2016, we introduced a groundbreaking rate structure that gives members the control to lower their monthly bills. We’re proud of this continued commitment to safe, reliable, cost-effective electricity.
Yet, a significant increase in our wholesale power cost beginning in January, coupled with new federal regulations and high inflation, will require we make rate adjustments in early 2025.
We’re not alone in this. Electric co-ops across the state will have to make this inevitable, necessary change too. We’ve postponed a rate increase as long as possible and commit to making only the changes needed to counter rising cost pressures.
Just as members have always relied on us, you can count on our transparency throughout this process and our commitment to affordable electricity. Read more about the necessity of this rate adjustment and what we’re doing to combat rising prices in the below SC Living articles.
SC Living, “Prices on the rise,” by Mid-Carolina President and CEO Bob Paulling
SC Living, “No immunity from rising costs,” by Mid-Carolina Trustee Marvin Sox
Ways to Save
Looking for ways to save on your monthly power bill? Check out the videos below or read more about these money-saving moves.
Understanding Our Cost-Saving Rate Structure
Ways to Save
Managing Your HVAC System
Managing Your Water Heater
