Homer Electric Association will increase its base rates by 3% on Tuesday.

A press release from the utility on Friday says that the Regulatory Commission of Alaska on March 20 approved a request to increase their rates.

“This increases the residential energy rate from $0.16640 per kilowatt-hour to $0.17139 per kilowatt-hour,” the release reads.

The base cost is only one of the charges reflected on a HEA bill, alongside a cost of power adjustment, a regulatory cost charge, a surcharge for the Electric Reliability Organization, and borough tax.

The base rate was last increased, by 3.5%, in January 2024. HEA Chief Operating Officer Rob Montgomery in November said that the utility is “pretty proud that we’ve been able to keep our rates stable,” with the rate increase since 2020 coming at a rate lower than inflation.

This change is motivated by “inflation, supply chain challenges, investments in system upgrades, and increased outage response due to the infestation of the Spruce Bark Beetle,” the release says.

HEA elections began on Friday, with seven candidates running for seats representing three voting districts. HEA members can vote for candidates within their district electronically through a portal on the HEA website, by requesting a mail-in ballot, or in person at the HEA Annual Meeting on May 1 at Kenai Central High School — when the election results will be announced.

For more information, visit homerelectric.com.

Reach reporter Jake Dye at jacob.dye@peninsulaclarion.com.