Conservation/Environment
Energy News
Conservation emphasized in rate proposal
PUD commissioners are seeking public comment on a rate proposal that would encourage conservation by reducing costs slightly for residential customers who use moderate amounts of power, but increasing costs for those using more electricity.
Commissioners will hold public meetings Sept. 29 in Leavenworth, Oct. 1 in Wenatchee, and Oct. 2 in Chelan. All meetings are at 5:30 p.m. Locations have yet to be determined.
A hearing on the final proposal to be developed following public comment is set for Oct. 20.
The option for electric rates is designed to encourage conservation by charging higher rates for power use that tops 3,000 kilowatt hours (kWh) a month. Customers who use less than 3,000 kWh would see their rates drop slightly. About 70 percent of the PUD’s residential customers use an average of less than 3,000 kWh a month.
Under current rates, residential customers pay 2.29 cents for the first 1,000 kilowatts hours, 2.84 cents for 1001 to 2000 kWh, and 2.99 cents for anything over 2000 kWh. Under the rate proposal, customers using over 3,000 kWh per month would pay 4.3 cents per kWh.
A review of ways to close gaps between the cost of providing utility services and the revenue from rates has been under way for 10 months.
Related links
Public meetings set on rates (PUD news release 8/25/08)
Conservation is focus of second rate proposal (PUD news release 8/19/08)