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New Wholesale Fiber Rates Adopted
Increase for retail service providers will take effect in October
July 7, 2008

EPHRATA, WA – Retail service providers offering Internet, television or telephone service on the utility’s fiber optic network will see an increase to the wholesale rates charged to them by the utility.  Rate increases will go into effect in October 2008.

“Our intent in amending the fiber rate schedule for service providers is to have revenue for the fiber system meet or exceed the operations and maintenance expenses plus depreciation of newly installed fiber and electronics,” said Commission President, Tom Flint.  “We have listened closely to the service providers throughout this process and feel that this rate schedule works to address their concerns while continuing to meet our test of being in the best interest of Grant PUD customers.”

Today’s action follows a March decision by the board to build to 80 percent of the residences and 95 percent of the businesses in the county within the next five years.  The construction schedule is anticipated to expand fiber optics to an average of 3,000 homes or businesses each year for a total estimated cost of $50 million.  Periodic commission reviews of the build-out plan will be conducted to review the use of budgetary resources.

Some of the increases to the wholesale rate structure include the addition of a one-time, $55 fee for fiber electronics installation, an increase to monthly charges for residential and business Internet access and an increase to monthly fees for set-up and use of Virtual Local Area Networks (VLANS).  These increases will be charged to Grant PUD’s fiber optic service providers.  The providers, in turn, determine rates for their retail customers. 

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Grant County Public Utility District is a Washington state municipal corporation that began electric service in 1942.  Owned by the people it serves, Grant PUD generates and sells electricity to Grant County residents and millions of customers throughout Central Washington and the Pacific Northwest.  The Priest Rapids Project, comprised of Priest Rapids and Wanapum Dams, produces nearly 2,000 megawatts of clean, renewable and reliable electricity – enough to supply a city the size of Seattle.  A leader in science based technology; Grant PUD is committed to finding effective measures for the protection, mitigation and enhancement of salmon, steelhead and other natural and cultural resources.

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