ERECutility
Your Monthly Newsletter
ISSUE 12 |SEP 2026 www.erec.com
escambiariverelectric
CARE OVER CAPITAL; PEOPLE OVER PROFIT Ryan Campbell, P.E.
JAY OFFICE 3425 Highway 4 P.O. Box 428 (mail) Jay, FL 32565 850-675-4521 or 800-235-3848
We know that a rate increase is never easy news. No one wants to pay more for electricity, especially when families and businesses are already dealing with higher costs in almost every aspect of life.
WALNUT HILL OFFICE 4950 Highway 99A Walnut Hill, FL 32568 850-675-4521 or 800-235-3848
But after careful consideration, EREC’s Board of Directors has determined that a modest rate adjustment is necessary to help us continue providing the safe, reliable and resilient electric service our members depend on.
OFFICE HOURS 7:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday - Thursday 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. every other Friday Closed on alternating Fridays Walnut Hill is closed from 12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
A Careful Look at Our Rates This spring, EREC completed a comprehensive rate survey to evaluate our current rates, financial position and the increasing costs of providing electric service.
STAFF Ryan C. Campbell, P.E., CEO Sonya Dooley, Director of Finance and Administration Lanie Sells, Director of Engineering Glenn White, Director of Operations Cortney Owens, Manager of Marketing Communications Derek Bridwell, Manager of Information Technology Crystal George, Manager of Accounting
The results showed that a modest adjustment is needed to keep pace with those rising costs and maintain the financial strength necessary to serve our members today and for years to come.
TRUSTEES Escambia County Brian Davis (President) James E. Hall Ernie Hester Sam Walker Gary Wiggins
Seventeen Years Without an Energy Rate Increase EREC has not increased the cost of energy since 2009. Think about that for a moment: Is there anything you regularly buy today that costs the same as it did in 2009? The cost of nearly everything has drastically increased over the past 17 years, including many of the goods and services EREC needs to provide electricity to our members.
Santa Rosa County Mickey Diamond (Vice President) Rick Hunsucker Philip Marshall Wesley Scott Dale Westmoreland (Secretary/Treasurer) The board of directors meets at 5 p.m. the third Monday of each month at the cooperative’s Jay office. FOR POWER OUTAGES Call 877-OUT-EREC or 877-688-3732. For emergency conditions, call 911. Contact Cortney Owens (cowens@erec.com) regarding this monthly publication.
Following that study, the EREC Board of Directors met on August 17 to review the findings and discuss the cooperative’s financial needs. After careful consideration, the Board was able to keep the increase to just a penny per kilowatt-hour effective October 2026.
The Cost of Serving You Has Increased From the fuel in our trucks to the postage needed to mail power bills, the cost of doing business has increased. The same is true for the materials that make up our electric system. Wire, poles and transformers have all increased substantially in cost. Vehicles, equipment, technology and other supplies needed to maintain the system and restore power have also become more expensive. With the cost of energy and other operating expenses continuing to rise, we also need to adjust the monthly cost of yard lights by 50 cents per month. (continued on next page)
A NECESSARY STEP (CONTINUED) We work hard to extend the life of our equipment and make every dollar go as far as possible. But eventually, vehicles and equipment must be replaced, infrastructure must be upgraded, and investments must be made to meet modern safety standards and ensure our employees have the resources they need to serve you safely and effectively. Your Cooperative Is Not-for-Profit As a not-for-profit electric cooperative, EREC is different from an investor-owned utility. We do not exist to generate profits for shareholders. We exist to serve our members. Every dollar we collect is used to operate, maintain and improve the electric system, prepare for storms and emergencies, and make the investments necessary to provide the reliable service our members deserve. What We Can Control We cannot control the rising cost of materials, equipment, fuel, postage, and other goods and services. What we can control is how responsibly we manage your cooperative. Our team will continue looking for ways to reduce controllable expenses, operate efficiently, and keep rates as affordable as possible. We will continue evaluating every expense and making thoughtful decisions about where and how your cooperative’s resources are invested. Investing in Reliability This adjustment is not about increasing rates simply because costs have gone up. It is about making a responsible decision today so EREC can remain financially strong and continue investing in the reliability and resiliency of our electric system for tomorrow. Maintaining a strong electric system requires ongoing investment. It means replacing aging equipment, upgrading infrastructure, preparing for severe weather, and having the resources necessary to respond when outages occur. A Modest Adjustment for a Stronger Future The approved 1 cent per kWh increase represents an important step toward keeping EREC financially healthy while continuing to provide the reliable service our members expect. We understand that any increase is difficult, and we do not take this decision lightly. Our commitment remains the same: to provide safe, reliable, and affordable electricity while being responsible stewards of your cooperative. Thank You for Your Membership We are grateful for your understanding, your membership and the trust you place in EREC every day. Thank you for being a member-owner of Escambia River Electric Cooperative.
We remain committed to managing costs carefully and efficiently so we can continue providing safe, reliable and affordable electricity for you.
JUNIORS... IT’S ALMOST TIME! We’re getting ready to kick off another exciting year of Youth Tour! Applications are being finalized now and will soon be delivered to area schools for high school juniors to begin applying. The first phase of Youth Tour is the Tallahassee Youth Tour, taking place February 10–11. This is a great opportunity for students to experience Florida’s capital, learn more about government and leadership, meet other students from across the state, and make memories that will last a lifetime.
STUFFED & LOVING IT! CHICKEN PARMESAN MEATBALLS Ingredients
by Gabby Dalkin
1 pound ground chicken ½ cup grated parmesan ⅓ cup panko breadcrumbs 1 egg ¾ teaspoon salt ¾ teaspoon black pepper ½ teaspoon dried oregano ½ teaspoon dried parsley ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes ½ cups flour 12 bocconcini mozzarella balls ¼ cup olive oil 24 ounces marinara sauce handful of basil leaves torn
Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, mix the ground chicken, parmesan, panko, egg, salt, pepper, oregano, parsley, and red pepper flakes until evenly combined. Form into golf ball–sized meatballs, placing a bocconcini ball in the center of each and sealing the chicken around the cheese. Lightly coat each meatball in flour, shaking off any excess. Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Brown half the meatballs for 3–4 minutes, turning to brown all sides. Remove and repeat with the remaining meatballs. Pour marinara sauce into the skillet and nestle the browned meatballs on top. Transfer to the oven and bake for 15–20 minutes, until cooked through. Top with fresh basil and serve immediately.
SMALL BUSINESS SPOTLIGHTS Escambia County
You? Is this
You could win a $10 Bill Credit!
If the account number below matches yours, call us at (850) 675-4521 to claim a $10 credit on your next electric bill!
308481-001
Santa Rosa County
Lifelong Attachments 2750 N Century Blvd. McDavid, FL 32568 850-982-2735 lifelongattachments.com Check them out on facebook or the web!
Ruby Sue’s Luncheonette 9388 Chumuckla Hwy Milton, FL 32570 850-992-7990 Check them out on facebook.
For over 30 years, Lifelong Attachments has built durable tractor and skid steer attachments for farms, job sites, and hardworking operators in McDavid, Florida. Designed for demanding conditions, each attachment is engineered for reliable performance, longevity, and everyday use. Lifelong Attachments also provides repair and maintenance services to keep machinery working at its best. Built for real work and made to last, its equipment delivers dependable results year after year.
Formerly Cotton Country Cafe, Ruby Sue's Luncheonette is a local favorite serving fresh, fast, homestyle breakfast and lunch at prices that are hard to beat. Known for delicious breakfasts, homemade biscuits and gravy, and daily lunch specials, every meal is made with care and hometown flavor. Guests can also enjoy the convenience of the Mama Lattes drive-thru located right at Ruby Sue's, making it the perfect stop for great food and coffee. Always friendly service! Always good food!