Citizens Electric Corporation Enters New Era as Customer of Wabash Valley Power Alliance

Citizens Electric Corporation (CEC) has officially entered a transformative new chapter in its history. Effective June 1, 2025, CEC transitioned from being a member-owner of Wabash Valley Power Alliance (WVPA) to becoming a customer of the Alliance.

CEC has proudly served as WVPA’s largest member and part-owner for the past 19 years. With this transition, CEC will no longer hold ownership of assets within the generation and transmission cooperative, nor will it participate in WVPA programs such as Power Shift, Power Moves, Automation Workforce Grant funding, or serve as a voting member on WVPA’s board of directors.

“This is the end of an era for Citizens Electric,” said Chief Executive Officer Jason Cates. “Few electric utilities have gone through a transition like this, and it’s a change that sets us on a unique path.”

As part of this evolution, Citizens Electric is positioning itself to become a vertically integrated, non-profit electric utility, encompassing distribution, transmission, and, eventually, generation. This restructuring allows CEC to reimagine how it serves its members while maintaining its mission of providing safe, reliable, and affordable electricity.

“We are essentially unpacking the utility and rebuilding it piece by piece,” added Cates. “While many roles and responsibilities will remain familiar, we’re embracing new ones while refining operations, protocols, and organizational structure to align with our forward-looking vision.”

The utility has been working closely with state and federal stakeholders to ensure transparency and alignment on both operational and policy levels. These changes mark a significant shift — not only in how CEC operates internally but also in how it is perceived within the broader energy industry.

“This is a moment filled with possibility,” said Cates. “But it also comes with great responsibility. We are committed to managing risks thoughtfully and doing what’s best for the membership. We appreciate everyone’s patience and support as we move through this transformation.”

Citizens Electric remains focused on its long-term vision to serve its members with innovation, integrity, and excellence.