Grant PUD Commissioners set rates for 2018

New rate will increase average monthly residential power bill by $1.49

EPHRATA — Grant PUD commissioners Tuesday approved the next of a proposed series of small, annual electric-rate increases that will generate an estimated 2-percent more revenue over 12 months. New rates take effect April 1.

The increase aligns with commissioners' strategy of small, predictable rate increases over time that protect core customers, including residential and irrigation, from less-frequent, double-digit increases.

Customers have said this is their preferred strategy to help keep Grant PUD on a sustainable financial path with outstanding service reliability, while keeping rates as low as possible.

"Careful, data-based planning, budgeting and spending are critical to sustain financial strength and provide outstanding service and value for our customers," Commission President Terry Brewer said after the vote. "These rate increases are critical to cover needed capital upgrades at our dams and substations and plan for the future at a time when wholesale market prices for our surplus power have declined."

The increase generates $3.8 million in revenue. Each rate will increase by the following:

Commissioners in 2013 approved a policy (Resolution 8690, 10/7/2013) of small, predictable increases with the objective of adjusting rates over time until no customer class pays more than 20 percent below nor 15 percent above the cost to provide electric service by 2024. They affirmed this policy in 2015 (Resolution 8768).

The resolutions define residential, general service, large general service and irrigators, as "core customers" who, will continue to benefit with rates as much as 20 percent below the cost to provide their power.

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