Grant PUD approves rate increase of 6 percent

EPHRATA - On the average, residential Grant PUD customer can expect to see an estimated $5 monthly increase on their power bills.

PUD commissioners approved this week a 6 percent rate increase for 2013.

Although the new rates will affect customers differently depending on their rate class and power usage, monthly power bills for average residential customers are estimated to increase by about $5.

The new rates will take effect Jan. 1, according to the PUD. Commissioners recently approved a $305.7 million budget for 2013.

Both the 2013 budget and 2013 rate schedule that were adopted differ from the original budget and rate schedule that was presented to ratepayers in October.

The district's proposed $312.4 million budget included rate increases that brought PUD to its targeted 8 percent revenue increase that was previously adopted by the board.

Several representatives from the county's agricultural and industrial power users spoke against the proposed rate increase during Monday's meeting.

Dennis Conley, representing the Ag Power Users Group at the meeting, told commissioners that increasing rates would only cause residential and agricultural users to find ways to use less power and wouldn't bring in enough revenue to help the district meet its target income.

"The existing customer base is starting to change behaviors as rates go up," Conley said. "As rates go up, we use less."

He said he hoped the group of industrial power users that testified against the rate increase during Monday's meeting would have convinced commissioners to reduce the rate increase to about 4 percent instead of the proposed 8 percent.

Commission President Tom Flint said commissioners had to make sure there was enough funding for projects required to fulfill obligations of the district's federal license to operate both Priest Rapids Dam and Wanapum Dam.

"These are not easy decisions, but ultimately I believe we found a balance between the needs of the public and the demands of aging infrastructure," said Flint, in a PUD press release. "By working together, we were able to reduce the proposed increase from 8 percent down to 6."

The 2013 budget includes funds earmarked for turbine and generator replacements at Wanapum Dam, hatchery site improvements, recreation site enhancements and electric system reliability improvements, according to the PUD.