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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
February 17, 2010
Grant PUD commissioners adopt allocation of four percent rate increase
EPHRATA, WA – Grant PUD commissioners approved the distribution of a four percent revenue increase that was adopted during the 2010 budget process. The rate increase will take effect on April 1.
The allocation is based on a fixed, $ 0.001155 per kilowatt-hour, increase to each customer rate schedule energy charge(s), except for the streetlight rate class. On average, Grant PUD customers will see the following increases:
Customer Class |
Monthly dollar increase* |
Percentage Increase |
Residential |
$2 |
2.8% |
Commercial |
$8 |
3.5% |
Irrigation** |
$20 |
3.9% |
Large Commercial |
$275 |
5.0% |
Small Industrial |
$4,300 |
6.6% |
Large Industrial |
$19,000 |
4.2% |
Ag Food |
$2,800 |
6.0% |
Ag Food Boiler |
$4,400 |
4.0% |
* Rounded to the nearest dollar for non-industrial classes and nearest hundred for industrial classes
** Irrigation amount based on seven months (April-October)
The largest drivers for the rate increase include the replacement of ageing infrastructure at Priest Rapids and Wanapum dams, requirements associated with our new, long-term license and capital projects tied to electric system growth and reliability. To date, more than $300 million has been spent in support of these projects with an additional $800 million in borrowing anticipated over the next five years.
Since the last rate increase in 2003, Grant PUD’s energy load has grown by 31 percent. This growth contributes to the need for electric system capital improvements that maintain reliability and meet state and federal requirements.
“It’s never an easy decision to raise rates but the risk of not taking this action unacceptable,” said Commission President Bob Bernd. “The Commission is committed to providing reliable service at the lowest possible cost. By adopting this relatively small increase, we are working to avoid double-digit rate increases in the future. It’s our responsibility and our commitment to ensure the financial health and reliability of this utility.”
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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.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Sarah Morford
(509) 754-6633 / smorfor@gcpud.org
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