October is a significant month for cooperatives across the nation, as it marks National Cooperative Month, a time to reflect on the values that unite us as a community and the impact we can achieve when we work together. This observance is more than a mere celebration of the cooperative model; it's an opportunity to reaffirm our commitment to the cooperative principles that guide us in our mission: voluntary and open membership, democratic member control, member economic participation, autonomy and independence, education, training and infor...

At Hill County Electric, I take immense pride in our history and the vital role we have played in the electrification of rural Montana. Our journey began with the support of the Rural Electrification Administration (REA), which provided loans to HCE to bring electricity to members in our service area. As I reflect on our roots and the strides we've made, I am excited to share insights from a great article written by Tim Busby who is curator of the Upper Musselshell Museum. The article delves deeper into the history of the electrical industry...

Due to an increase from our power suppliers, inflation and eight years since our last increase, HCE Members will see a 10% rate increase. The increase amount will be in the form of an increase in our Monthly Recurring Charge and Energy kWh Charges. A message from our CEO I joined Hill County Electric (HCE) eight years ago. During my time here, the board, myself and employees have worked very hard to try and operate as efficiently as possible while still maintaining a high level of reliable power. HCE has focused on preventative maintenance...

HCE Rate Increase Increased costs for everyday items is a hot topic in today's world, and for good reason. With the rising cost of living and inflation, it's no surprise that Hill County Electric has been affected by these increases as well. HCE has managed to avoid a rate increase over the last 8 years, a feat that is almost unheard of in the current economic climate. However, HCE has not been immune to the cost increases, and we must make a change to remain financially solid for our members today and our future members. The driving force...

HCE Rate Increase I joined Hill County Electric (HCE) eight years ago. During my time here, the board, myself and employees have worked very hard to try and operate as efficiently as possible while still maintaining a high level of reliable power. HCE has focused on preventative maintenance and pole change outs, which have proven to be effective in limiting our outages. The financial pressures exerted by rising interest rates, inflation and the cost of power continue to go up for HCE. For example, energy costs have increased and are projec...

Q: What is HCE’s main reason for the rate change? A: Our power suppliers, Western Area Power Administration and Basin Electric Cooperative, are raising the cost of power to the cooperative and these increases will continue for the foreseeable time.    The last electric rate change was made in 2016. Since the last rate change, the cost to operate the cooperative has increased. For example, energy costs from Generation & Transmission (G&T’s) have increased and are projected to increase approximately 7% n...

Be Safe During Harvest  During the harvest season, farmers and ranchers are typically bustling with activity as they work tirelessly to gather crops. They are often faced with long hours, demanding physical labor, and the need for careful planning to ensure a successful harvest. Harvesting crops near power lines can be dangerous due to the risk of accidental contact with the lines and potential electrical hazards. Farmers should take caution and follow safety guidelines to avoid any accidents or damage to equipment and property. Addit...

The Environmental Protections Agency (EPA) has released four major new regulations for the electric industry.  This includes a rule with the purpose of cutting emissions from power plants which could cause reliability concerns for electric cooperatives and other utilities nationwide (Christian, 2024). Because Hill County Electric is committed to providing our members with a safe, reliable, and affordable source of electricity for years to come we would like to present you with the following information about these regulations to keep ou...

We are excited to announce the results of the recent election for our Board of Trustees. Congratulations to the following trustees who were elected: Kelly Rutledge – District 4 and Nick Siebrasse – District 5. Thank you to our valued members!