Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative (CCEC) announces beginning May 1, 2023, its members living within Brookings city limits will see a new charge on their monthly electric bills. This new charge labeled “City Franchise Fee”, was instituted by the Brookings City Council through Ordinance 23-O-806 during their regular meeting on April 24, 2023.

Under this new ordinance, CCEC must pay the City of Brookings a monthly fee for placement of CCEC electric infrastructure within the city's utility right-of-way. The previous franchise agreement was an in-kind exchange of city streetlighting for access to utility right-of-way. The Brookings City Council chose to move to a fee-based structure under the new ordinance.

The franchise fee is equivalent to 5% of the gross electric service revenue collected by CCEC from its members who reside within city limits for the duration of the 10-year term. Effective May 1, 2023, CCEC members residing within the City of Brookings will see this franchise fee as a separate line item on their monthly CCEC electric bill.

CCEC’s electric service rates will remain unchanged. The city franchise fee will be in addition to the cost of electric service resulting in a 5% overall increase to the CCEC monthly electric bill. Coos-Curry Electric Cooperative CEO Brent Bischoff stated, "As the Brooking City Council transitions from the previous in-kind exchange for streetlighting to a fee-based franchise for right-of-way access, we regret the added financial burden to our cooperative members. CCEC remains focused on safely delivering reliable and affordable electric energy to our member’s homes and businesses."

If CCEC members residing in Brookings have any questions or concerns about the new franchise fee, they can contact their local office by phone at (541) 469-2103 or through the CCEC website at www.ccec.coop.