Chelan County PUD commissioners Monday are set to take action on a proposal to switch to a flat residential rate for electric customers, starting next year. Andrew Wendell, Manager of Customer Services for the PUD says the flat rate would replace the existing tiered rates that charge more for those who use larger quantities of electricity.
Wendell says with the expiration of the temporary nine percent surcharge at the end of this year, most PUD customers will see their overall bill go down an average of six and a half percent next year. The PUD is putting into effect a two and a half percent revenue increase that was approved by the Board of Commissioners in 2008. That was put on hold when the economy soured and the surcharge was added instead.
PUD officials say if the rate change is adopted, about 93 percent of customers will see their monthly bills decrease next year, or stay within a dollar of this year's billings for the same energy use. A smaller number of customers would see their average bill increase up to two dollars per month, assuming similar power consumption as before. A public hearing at one p.m. Monday is the last scheduled opportunity for public comment before the board considers the proposal.
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KPQ Midday Update