PORT ANGELES — Clallam County Public Utility District commissioners approved an 8 percent increase in retail electric utility rates effective Dec. 1.
The increase amounts to about $8 per month for the average PUD residential customer, using 1400 kilowatt hours per month, a PUD spokesman said.
The retail rate increase comes on the heels of the Bonneville Power Administration’s second consecutive annual 5 percent wholesale rate increases to the PUD. Bonneville supplies the PUD with electricity.
In addition to the BPA wholesale rate increase, there are continued rate pressures from rising costs associated with materials cost, operations, maintenance and technology, a PUD statement said today. Renewable energy mandates, such as those from Initiative 937, are also beginning to take their toll on rates, it said.
“Nobody likes to see rate increases, but given the two consecutive 5 percent rate increases from BPA and other rate pressures, we were basically boxed into a corner.,” said Will Purser, PUD commissioner.
The retail rate increase will be effective on all bills rendered on and after Dec. 1, the PUD said.
www.clallampud.net.
