PUD rate increase would bump up average residential bill $2.56 a month

EVERETT — The average residential electricity customer will pay $2.56 more per month if a proposed rate increase by the Snohomish County Public Utility District is approved as planned.

The overall rate increase of 2.9 percent is needed to offset increases in costs, officials said.

The PUD expects to face an $11 million annual deficit without the increase, general manager Steve Klein said.

Annual transmission costs paid to the Bonneville Power Administration for hydroelectric power in 2012 will be $7 million higher than 2010.

The utility also faces a $10 million bill for re-licensing its Jackson hydroelectric plant, and increasing costs for its conservation programs, such as for compact fluorescent light bulbs, and for assisting low-income customers with electric bills.

Additionally, the PUD is losing a projected $7 million in annual revenue from the closure of the Kimberly-Clark plant in Everett, one of its largest industrial customers.

“It’s not any one thing,” Klein said.

A public hearing on the proposed rate increase is planned for Feb. 7. The three-member board of directors could vote on the plan Feb. 21 and if approved it will take effect April 1.

Residential rates would rise 3.1 percent, and commercial and industrial rates would rise 2.5 percent, for an average of 2.9.

Residential customers with electric heat would pay an average of $3.86 more per month, while a customer who lives in an apartment with gas heat would pay an average of another $1.59.

The average commercial or small industrial customer would pay an extra $12.89 per month while the average large industrial customer would pay an additional $9,266.

The PUD approved a small increase of 0.9 percent last fall as a pass-through of a BPA increase, Klein said. The utility’s last significant rate increase was 3.5 percent in 2009.

The PUD’s residential rates would still be lower than its two neighboring utilities after the increase for a household using 1,000 kilowatt hours of electricity in a month.*

The PUD charges residential customers $82.55 for that much electricity. After the increase, the monthly cost would rise to $85.11.

Seattle City Light, after a major increase two years ago, now charges $86.78 for 1,000 kilowatt-hours in a month, while Puget Sound Energy charges $97, according to figures from the utilities.

It’s not certain how long the rate increase will hold, Klein said. Utility planners try to look ahead five years, but each year will be different, Klein said.

“We’d rather have the discussion each year,” he said.

Bill Sheets: 425-339-3439; sheets@heraldnet.com.

* Correction, Jan. 26, 2012: The PUD’s cost per kilowatt hour and Seattle City Light’s prices were incorrect in a previous version of this story.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

A firefighter stands in silence before a panel bearing the names of L. John Regelbrugge and Kris Regelbrugge during the ten-year remembrance of the Oso landslide on Friday, March 22, 2024, at the Oso Landslide Memorial in Oso, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
‘Flood of emotions’ as Oso Landslide Memorial opens on 10th anniversary

Friends, family and first responders held a moment of silence at 10:37 a.m. at the new 2-acre memorial off Highway 530.

Julie Petersen poses for a photo with images of her sister Christina Jefferds and Jefferds’ grand daughter Sanoah Violet Huestis next to a memorial for Sanoah at her home on March 20, 2024 in Arlington, Washington. Peterson wears her sister’s favorite color and one of her bangles. (Annie Barker / The Herald)
‘It just all came down’: An oral history of the Oso mudslide

Ten years later, The Daily Herald spoke with dozens of people — first responders, family, survivors — touched by the deadliest slide in U.S. history.

Victims of the Oso mudslide on March 22, 2014. (Courtesy photos)
Remembering the 43 lives lost in the Oso mudslide

The slide wiped out a neighborhood along Highway 530 in 2014. “Even though you feel like you’re alone in your grief, you’re really not.”

Director Lucia Schmit, right, and Deputy Director Dara Salmon inside the Snohomish County Department of Emergency Management on Friday, March 8, 2024, in Everett, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
How Oso slide changed local emergency response ‘on virtually every level’

“In a decade, we have just really, really advanced,” through hard-earned lessons applied to the pandemic, floods and opioids.

Ron and Gail Thompson at their home on Monday, March 4, 2024 in Oso, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In shadow of scarred Oso hillside, mudslide’s wounds still feel fresh

Locals reflected on living with grief and finding meaning in the wake of a catastrophe “nothing like you can ever imagine” in 2014.

Everett mall renderings from Brixton Capital. (Photo provided by the City of Everett)
Topgolf at the Everett Mall? Mayor’s hint still unconfirmed

After Cassie Franklin’s annual address, rumors circled about what “top” entertainment tenant could be landing at Everett Mall.

Everett
Everett man sentenced to 3 years of probation for mutilating animals

In 2022, neighbors reported Blayne Perez, 35, was shooting and torturing wildlife in north Everett.

Dorothy Crossman rides up on her bike to turn in her ballot  on Tuesday, Aug. 1, 2023 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett leaders plan to ask voters for property tax increase

City officials will spend weeks hammering out details of a ballot measure, as Everett faces a $12.6 million deficit.

Starbucks employee Zach Gabelein outside of the Mill Creek location where he works on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024 in Mill Creek, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Mill Creek Starbucks votes 21-1 to form union

“We obviously are kind of on the high of that win,” store bargaining delegate Zach Gabelein said.

Lynnwood police respond to a collision on highway 99 at 176 street SW. (Photo provided by Lynnwood Police)
Police: Teen in stolen car flees cops, causes crash in Lynnwood

The crash blocked traffic for over an hour at 176th Street SW. The boy, 16, was arrested on felony warrants.

The view of Mountain Loop Mine out the window of a second floor classroom at Fairmount Elementary on Wednesday, Jan. 10, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
County: Everett mining yard violated order to halt work next to school

At least 10 reports accused OMA Construction of violating a stop-work order next to Fairmount Elementary. A judge will hear the case.

Imagine Children's Museum's incoming CEO, Elizabeth "Elee" Wood. (Photo provided by Imagine Children's Museum)
Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett to welcome new CEO

Nancy Johnson, who has led Imagine Children’s Museum in Everett for 25 years, will retire in June.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.