Wild Rose is a not-for-profit power cooperative that serves as an electrical utility, supplying electric energy to its members. The cooperative is member-owned, with members having control over the association by electing a Board of Directors to act on their behalf. Members have the power to vote, which allows them to have a voice in the cooperative's decisions. Wild Rose's primary goal is to serve its members in a manner that benefits them; this mission has resulted in significant savings for its members since 1947.
"I am proud to share that in 2023, our members saved an average of $1.43 million in distribution charges and approximately $2.4 million in energy charges,” says CEO Stuart Fox-Robinson. “This totals to a remarkable $3.83 million in savings for our membership compared to investor-owned utilities. These are significant savings that stay within our communities and in people's pockets.”
The good news doesn’t stop there!
“We are pleased to announce that in 2024, Wild Rose has implemented a 0% distribution tariff increase for our members,” he adds.
What does this mean?
"At Wild Rose, we understand that the cost of the wires, from point A to point B, is a significant factor in utility services,” Fox-Robinson explains. “While most utilities adhere to a regulated rate of return ranging from increases of 8% to 9% annually, our rate remains at 0%. This means that there will be no changes in our rates from 2023 to 2024.”
He continues, “Over the past decade, our annual rate increase has been exceptionally low, just over 0.6% of a percent. Why are our rates so remarkably low? It's because we prioritize people over profit. Without shareholders to answer to, our sole focus is on serving our community. We are not driven by the desire to generate millions in profits for shareholders. Our mission is to run our operations at cost, ensuring that the financial burden on our members remains as minimal as possible.”
Members can rely on significant savings when they sign on with Wild Rose, but even those who are not within the service area benefit.
“Even for those who are not members, we act as a benchmark for pricing. If we didn’t exist, their pricing would be higher as there would be no competition or yardstick. For geographical reasons, if you cannot be a member, know that overall, industry rates are lower because of cooperatives like us. We aim to help everyone, members or not. The competition is vital to keep costs manageable across the board and to also help keep other energy providers accountable for their cost structures.”
Outside of providing savings on energy rates, Wild Rose also bolsters the communities it serves. With a commitment to giving back, Wild Rose has awarded over 80 Rural Roots awards and more than 75 scholarships to children of Members in the Barrhead and Westlock areas. Over the years, Wild Rose has also contributed to various organizations and community initiatives, including the Pickardville Community League, Soul Sisters Memorial Foundation, Westlock & District 4H Council, Westlock Fun Hockey Association, Freedom Naples 4H, and many more. They have also supported local libraries, historical societies, food banks, sports programs, and agricultural societies, all with the vision of being a long-term community partner for all – members and non-members alike.
Wild Rose is different when it comes to energy providers. They are mission-based, non-profit, and driven by serving the community with savings on energy and by giving back. While many REAs have folded over the years, Wild Rose has been going strong for 50 years; the ability to keep going and growing is driven by the diversity (gender, generation, culture, industry) on the board. This diversity ensures a voice from every type of member – from homeowners to farmers, from corporations to small business owners – is represented.
“Give us a call,” Fox-Robinson concludes. “Have a chat with our customer service staff. We can start a process to establish needs and discuss how we can help you. We love talking to current and new members. At Wild Rose, our commitment to affordability, transparency, and the well-being of our members sets us apart. We believe in a utility model that puts people first, and we are dedicated to providing reliable and cost-effective services that truly serve the needs of our community.”
Learn more at www.wildroserea.com.
