Submitted by the Orcas Power and Light Cooperative.

The 2026 OPALCO annual budget was approved at the Nov. 20 board meeting, including changes to the rate structure and an approximately 6% rate increase for residential members. This works out to an increase of approximately $12 per month for the average San Juan County residence. The budget forecasts 5% rate increases for each of the next five years to keep up with inflation, the rising costs of power and labor, and to manage the co-op’s equity position. The co-op uses equity to borrow federal funds to build essential capital projects, like the multiple submarine cable replacements that are scheduled over the next 10-20 years.

The OPALCO team did an extensive analysis of the OPALCO rate structure during 2025. Members will see some change

See Full Page