For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Feb. 15 , 2008

EWEB to consider electric, water rate changes

Eugene Water & Electric Board commissioners will hold hearings in February and March to gather public comments about a decrease in electric rates and an increase in water rates.

The first hearing will be on Tuesday, Feb. 19, during the commissioners’ regular board meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the North Building at EWEB. The second hearing will be at the same time and location on Tuesday, March 18.

Commissioners will consider a 1.8 percent overall decrease in electric rates and a 17 percent increase in water rates. The effect of the two rate actions would result in a net increase of about $1.90 per month in the combined electric and water bill for the average residential customer. The rate changes would be reflected in customers’ May bills.

This would be the fourth time since 2005 that EWEB has decreased electric rates, by a total decline of about 6 percent. Combined with one electric rate increase in 2006, electricity costs have been stable since 2004.

The electric rate decrease is due to a one-time payment to EWEB from the federal Bonneville Power Administration. The water rate increase would be used to upgrade and maintain the water treatment, storage and distribution system. One major project that will get under way this year is a $10 million expansion and upgrade of the Hayden Bridge water-treatment plant along the McKenzie River, Eugene’s sole source of water.