CARLSBORG — Electric, water and sewer rates will increase for Clallam County Public Utility District customers in 2016.
Commissioners approved retail rate increases of 3.8 percent for electric and 6 percent for water and sewer customers as part of the district’s 2016 budget at their regular meeting Monday.
The rate increases will apply on bills generated after Feb. 1 for 5,000 water and 60 sewer customers, and after April 1 for about 30,000 electric customers.
“While rate increases are not something customers want, they are a necessity given current rate pressures,” said Doug Nass, general manager of the PUD.
Nass noted that even with the raise, the district has among the lowest electric utility rates in the state and U.S.
The retail electric rate increase is about $4.20 monthly for the average PUD residential customer, based on the use of 1,200 kilowatt-hours per month.
The average monthly electric bill for its customers is $110.10, according to the district.
With the rate increase, the new monthly bill for the average customer will be $114.29.
The retail electric rate increase will add $2.50 to PUD customers’ monthly base charge. There will also be an increase of 2 percent on the charge for electricity kilowatt-hours.
The total is an approximately 3.8 percent increase for customers, depending on their energy use.
Weather is responsible for almost all variations in usage and revenue variations, according to a PUD press release.
Temperatures in 2014 and 2015 were unusually warm, resulting in a significant reduction in power use and an accompanying decline in PUD revenue.
In October, the Bonneville Power Administration increased wholesale rates by approximately 6 percent.
The district also must pay the cost of meeting the mandates of the state Energy Independence Act and personnel costs that include escalating health care premiums.
The three expenditures total about 44 percent of the PUD’s total budget.
Water rates
The PUD’s water system is managed separately from the electric utility and faces challenges related to aging infrastructure, limitations on capital financing and regulatory mandates, according to the district.
The water system rate increase was approved at 6 percent for the next year.
The water districts managed by the PUD represent a smaller customer base and aging infrastructure, and rate increases are necessary to maintain the system and deliver quality water, Nass said.
An average water bill in the district is $42. With the rate increase, the average will rise to $44.50.
Sewer rates
The sewer system rate increase was also approved at 6 percent for the next year.
An average sewer bill is currently $40 and will be $42.40 after the increase.
