PORT ANGELES — Home electric bills will jump about $100 a year for Clallam County Public Utility District customers beginning in December.
The three PUD commissioners unanimously approved an 8 percent rate increase for homes and businesses Monday.
The boost will be about $8 per month for the average residential customer using 1,400 kilowatt hours monthly, said Michael Howe, PUD spokesman.
He said he had no figures for businesses but said that all retail rate classes will increase by about 8 percent.
The increase will be reflected on bills on and after Dec. 1.
No public comment was offered during an Oct. 18 public hearing or before commission deliberations Monday, Howe said.
The PUD staff recommended the increase after Bonneville Power Administration, its principal supplier, raised its wholesale power rate by 5 percent for the second consecutive year.
“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.
In addition to the BPA rate hikes, PUD officials said they face rising costs of operations, maintenance and technology.
“Between the rising costs associated with providing reliable, efficient and safe supply, and the second consecutive year of BPA rate increases, there was little option,” said Hugh Haffner, PUD commissioner.
Renewable energy mandates, such as those from Initiative 937, also are taking their toll, PUD officials said.
The 2006 state Initiative 937 requires utility districts the size of Clallam County’s to get 15 percent of their power from more expensive renewable sources by 2020.
Step-up requirements are set for 2012 (3 percent) and 2016 (9 percent).
“We always strive to avoid or minimize rate increases where possible,” said Ted Simpson, PUD commissioner.
“We were able to defer any rate increase in 2009, despite a BPA rate increase, but it would not be fiscally prudent to do so again.”
