LINCOLN, Neb. (KLKN) – The Lincoln Electric System proposed a systemwide increase to its electrical rates for 2026 on Friday.

LES’s administrative board’s finance committee introduced the 2026 budget, which includes a 3% rate increase.

Emily Koenig, LES vice president of financial services and chief financial officer, said the adjustment is “largely driven by rising power costs and transmission expenses.”

“However, we can control how we manage our internal spending, so we are re-evaluating how we allocate resources within our utility,” she said in a news release.

To minimize impact on customers, LES is recommending “internal budget reductions,” which include delaying or scaling back on “non-essential” projects.

LES said those measures are keeping the proposed rate increase from surpas

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