Tri-State’s Board of Directors approves 2026 budget and rate change
(September 10, 2025 – Westminster, Colo.) As Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association prepares to make significant investments in generation and transmission to serve members’ growth, while meeting heightened reliability metrics and stringent environmental requirements, the not-for-profit cooperative’s Board of Directors has approved a 2026 budget, which includes a wholesale electric rate increase of 7.5% for 2026.
Tri-State’s average annual rate increase over the last decade was approximately 1%, well below the rate of inflation, and the association continues to take steps to deliver a reliable and competitive supply of power despite industry volatility.
“Like most electricity providers, Tri-State is facing cost pressures from higher tariffs, a turbulent regulatory environment, supply chain issues, and higher market and purchased power costs,” said Duane Highley, Tri-State CEO. “We are working hard to mitigate these impacts to our members’ wholesale rate, including by reducing expenses and optimizing member assets when possible.”
The 2026 budget and rate reflect significant investments in generation fleet and transmission, as the cooperative pursues implementation of its resource plan. Tri-State noted that the rate increase announced today is also influenced by the rising costs of serving member load, including facility maintenance and ownership costs.
Under the formulary rate accepted by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission last year, Tri-State maintains a postage stamp rate with the same rate components for all utility members. The rate is adjusted annually based on the budget approved by the board and includes an annual true-up mechanism to recover or refund revenue as appropriate.
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About Tri-State
Tri-State is a power supply cooperative, operating on a not-for-profit basis, serving electric distribution cooperatives and public power district member-owners in four states. Together with our members, we deliver reliable, affordable and responsible power to more than a million electricity consumers across nearly 200,000 square miles of the rural West. Visit www.tristate.coop.
Contact:
Amy Robertson, 303-254-3743, amy.robertson@tristategt.org
Mark Stutz, 303-254-3183, mark.stutz@tristategt.org
Certain information contained in this press statement are forward-looking statements including statements concerning Tri-State’s plans, future events, and other information that is not historical information. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, uncertainties and assumptions, including those described from time to time in Tri-State’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Tri-State’s expectations and beliefs are expressed in good faith, and Tri-State believes there is a reasonable basis for them. However, Tri-State cannot assure you that management’s expectations and beliefs will be achieved. There are a number of risks, uncertainties and other important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements contained herein.