Rates
MEC’s rates are set by the Cooperative’s Board of Trustees.
Rate Tables
Residential Service
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Charge | $30.00 | $30.00 |
| Energy Charge | $0.0713/kWh | $0.0713/kWh |
| Peak Charge | $1.00/KW | $1.00/KW |
Small Commercial – 1 Phase
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Charge | $31.50 | $31.50 |
| Energy Charge | $0.0713/kWh | $0.0762/kWh |
| Peak Charge | $2.00/KW | $2.00/KW |
Small Commercial – 3 Phase
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Charge | $36.50 | N/A |
| Energy Charge | $0.0713/kWh | N/A |
| Peak Charge | $2.00/KW | N/A |
Large Commercial
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Base Charge | $42.00 | $43.50 |
| Energy Charge | $0.0459/kWh | $0.0459/kWh |
| Demand Charge | $11.58/KW | $11.58/KW |
Irrigation
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| Energy Charge | $0.060/kWh | $0.060/kWh |
| 5 HP to 10 HP | $315.00 | $315.00 |
| >10 HP to <30 HP | $525.00 | $525.00 |
| 30 HP and Larger | $787.50 | $787.50 |
| HP Charge (All HP over 10) | $10.50 | $10.50 |
New Industrial Loads
Contact Missoula Electric Cooperative for more information about our Industrial Rates for new industrial loads located in our service territory.
Security Lights
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| 40 Watt LED | $14.18 | $16.28 |
| 70 Watt LED | $20.48 | $23.63 |
Idle Service
| Montana | Idaho | |
|---|---|---|
| All Idle Services | $15.00 | $15.00 |
Rate Definitions
Fixed Charges: Often referred to the “Base Charge”, this amount is designed for the Cooperative to recoup its costs related to the infrastructure necessary to serve a given category of a load. Fixed costs will vary from co-op to co-op and from one rate category to another as they are based on how many poles, wires, and other equipment is necessary to serve a given category of a load.
Energy Charges: All energy usage is metered in kilowatt-hours. A kilowatt-hour is the amount of energy necessary to light one 100-Watt light bulb for 10 hours or one 1,000-Watt light bulb for one hour.
Peak Charges: The highest hourly usage, represented in kilowatts (KW), during MEC’s peak hours which are Monday through Friday from 7-10 AM and 6-9 PM (excluding major federal holidays).
Demand Charges: All demand is measured in kilowatts, and applies to commercial and industrial loads. Demand represents the amount of current the Cooperative must maintain at the ready for a given consumer.
SIGN UP FEES
Fees effective October 16, 2012
DEPOSIT
MEC will perform a credit check at the time of sign-up, and based on the results we determine if a deposit is needed or not.
- Residential: $150.00 minimum, or twice the highest bill at the place of service, whichever is greater
- Commercial: for commercial accounts at an existing service, the minimum deposit will be equal to the total amount of the two (2) highest bills of the last twelve months of service at this location
- Commercial New Construction: with no, or less than acceptable credit history, deposits will be based on serving size and possible capacity of usage
PAPER PROCESSING FEE
We charge a one-time processing fee for every meter that the consumer signs up. This fee is charged each time a meter is put into a consumer’s name. This fee is billed out on your first statement.
- Processing Fee: One-time charge of $5.00
COLLECTION FEE
We charge certain fees at different stages in the collection process. These fees are as follows in the order they are charged to the account:
- Penalty Charge: 1.5% of the balance at the time of processing
- Disconnect Letter Fee: $5.00
- Final Termination Notice: $15.00
RETURNED CHECK AND DECLINED CARD FEE
We charge a returned check fee for every check that is sent back to us from the bank. The fee is applied to the account that the payment was applied against. We charge a fee for all card payments and automated drafts that are returned from the bank.
- Checks Returned for Insufficient Funds: $25.00
SERVICE FEE
A service fee will be charged for various service calls. The fees vary depending on what service is requested.
- Service Visit Fee: $35.00
- Load Limiter Fee (service visit): $35.00
- Reconnect Fee: $100.00
- After-Hours Reconnect Fee: $150.00*
*Charged for reconnecting service between 3:00 PM and 8:00 AM Monday – Friday any time during weekends and holidays.
METER TAMPERING FEE
We charge a fee for tampering with any MEC meter. There is also a possibility of criminal charges being brought against any persons that tamper with an MEC meter.
TAMPERING FEE
Tampering Fee: $300.00
Reconnect Fee: 100.00
Deposit (paid prior to reconnecting): Twice highest month’s bill and any kWh used
IRRIGATION SERVICE FEE
The Horsepower Charge for irrigation accounts will be billed in two installations; The first half of the annual minimum charge will be reflected in your May energy bill, which you will receive and be required to pay in May. The second portion will automatically be added to your September energy bill and is due in September. All other energy charges must be paid by the respective due date.
TEMPORARY SERVICE FEES
RESIDENTIAL
There is a fee of $150.00 for temporary residential service. In addition, the temporary service including meter base and all secondary wire, shall be provided by the consumer.
If a temporary service including meter base and all secondary wire is provided by MEC, the consumer must pay in advance a contribution of 100% of the estimated materials, installation and retirement cost (no credit for salvage will e granted) of providing the temporary facilities. In either case, MEC provides at no cost, the transformer, and meter.
COMMERCIAL/INDUSTRIAL
A temporary service, including meter base and all secondary wire, may be provided by the consumer or MEC. The consumer must pay in advance, a contribution of 100% of the estimated materials, installation and retirement cost (no credit for salvage will be granted) of providing the temporary facilities. In either case, MEC provides, at no cost, the transformer and meter.
IDLE SERVICE FEE
There is an Idle Service Fee of $15.00 per month to retain an idle service. An idle service is defined as facilities which were placed for power delivery and have not been utilized for two or more consecutive years.
