Chelan PUD commissioners will spend the next two months studying a proposed two-year extension of the annual rate increases that started with the 2020-2024 strategic plan, the Washington State-based PUD said on Sept. 17.
“I think we need some time to discuss, learn and move forward because there are some big questions here,” said Board President Steve McKenna at a Sept. 16 meeting. “It’s not a quick answer.”
Commissioners expressed interest in a discussion about how rates are structured to cover costs in each utility service -- electricity, water, wastewater and wholesale fiber.
The goal of the rate plan extension is to incrementally increase rates to keep pace with the cost of providing service, which is rising at about 6% a year across the PUD’s service lines.
The proposed rate plan represents a 3-4% increase annually, effective June 2025 and June 2026. That means the average residential customer would pay an extra $2 on their monthly electricity bill and $3-4 more on water and wastewater bills, based on average use.
McKenna suggested a vote on the proposal in November, prior to adopting the PUD’s annual budget.
The two-year rate plan extension is intended to bridge the gap between the 2020-2024 strategic plan and the next one.
Meanwhile, Chelan PUD continues to gather public input for its next strategic plan.
More than 1,000 people have participated in a survey that asks customers to compare and rank priorities that will shape the utility’s future for the next 50 years.
The survey will be available through the end of the month at chelanpud.org/imagine2075.
