PUD proposes 15 percent rate increase

GRANT COUNTY — Power supplied by the Grant County PUD could cost rate payers 15 percent more in the next three years.

The PUD is considering a 5-percent rate increase in 2010, 2011 and 2012 as part of its budget proposal.

The proposed rate increase would be the first rate increase since 2003, according to Manager Tim Culbertson.

The increase would amount to approximately $5 million in revenue in 2010. Increases would begin April 1.

The rate increase is fueled by projects at Priest Rapids and Wanapum  dams and license implementation, said Treasurer/Controller Jim Bunch.

A rate increase of 5 percent for residents would amount to approximately $3 more per month, according to PUD data. The estimate is based on an average bill of $73 in 2008.

The PUD is deciding how to divide the rate increase among classes, such as residential, commercial, irrigation, industrial and agriculture. 

Citizens voiced their thoughts on the proposed budget to PUD commissioners at a public hearing Monday in Ephrata.

Additional hearings are today at 6 p.m. at Royal High School, at 911 Ahlers Road, and Nov. 17 at 6 p.m. at Coulee City Service Center, 36043 Road I.8 N.E.

Moses Lake resident Dale Walker said when he first looked at the PUD’s expenditures, he thought, “This is a bad deal.”

But Walker said he changed his mind.

“It dawned on me … that this utility is going to end up with two dams on the river that are going to be far, far better dams,” he said.

Customers are getting a better deal on the projects than customers did in the 1950s, he said.

At the same time, Walker claimed the increased capacity resulting from the projects was left out of the budget. He urged commissioners to stall rate increases until 2011.

“There are about 2,000 people in Grant County now that don’t have a job,” he said. “We have the elderly on fixed incomes that can’t stand any increase beyond what their medications cost.”

He encouraged commissioners to consider the rate-payers’ position.

Moses Lake resident Mick Hansen said he would like to see residential, commercial and irrigation customers exempt from the rate increase.

“My understanding is the dams were built primarily to serve the citizens of Grant County,” said Ephrata resident Jeanette Marbourg.

Marbourg said if the PUD is going to give “sweetheart rates” to certain companies, then she wants the same deal.

A second issue citizens expressed concern with is a proposal to reduce the dark fiber budget from $10 million to $5.5 million.

“I would encourage you to keep the budget at $10 million,” Walker said.

Ephrata resident Sue Qualls echoed Walker’s sentiment, asking the district to maintain the current allocation.

Moses Lake resident John Higgins also spoke in support of funding dark fiber.

“My basic request of you fellas and ladies is really look at your fiber commitment and do something bold,” Higgins said.