Increase in the Cost of Power As previously communicated in 2024 and 2025, our wholesale power providers (WAPA and Basin Electric) have informed us that the cost of power is expected to continue increasing in the years ahead. These rising wholesale power costs place ongoing financial pressure on Hill County Electric Cooperative (HCE) and directly impact the cost of providing reliable electricity to our members. Why a Rate Change Is Necessary Power supply is one of the expenses that HCE faces which cannot be disputed.&nbs…

Winter along Montana’s Hi-Line is never predictable, but one thing is certain: it’s coming. At Hill County Electric, safety is always our top priority. While our system is built to be reliable, Mother Nature can still throw challenges our way. Heavy snow, ice, and extreme cold can lead to downed power lines and outages. When that happens, you can count on HCE’s crews to respond as quickly, and safely, as possible. To help you and your family stay safe and comfortable during the season, here are a few steps you can take before winter storms ar…

It’s time for members to consider running for the Hill County Electric Board of Trustees! This year, Districts 2 and 3 are up for election. Nominee requirements to run: . Complete a petition that includes the district number and nominee’s name. . Collect 15 signatures from current members, including their printed names and addresses. . The nominee must reside within the district they are running to represent. . Members signing the petition do not need to live in the same district as the nominee. . Submit the completed petition to HCE no later…

You might be wondering why we’re talking about farm safety around power lines in November. Unfortunately, in 2025, several farm implements struck power lines and poles. One cooperative west of Hill County even experienced a tragic fatality during the recent harvest season. While winter offers more time for planning, we encourage you to reflect on safety and how critical it is in our day-to-day work. As farming equipment continues to grow in size and capability, it brings increased responsibility. New equipment may be taller or longer for impr…

At Hill County Electric, one of our responsibilities is keeping members informed about changes that may affect your electric bill.While nothing has been finalized yet, we want to share early news about discussions happening at Basin Electric Power Cooperative, one of our wholesale power suppliers. Basin is currently evaluating a rate increase. The details are still being worked out, including whether it will be implemented all at once or phased in over several years. Once Basin makes its decision, our power supplier Central Montana Electric P…