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

March 17, 2008

EWEB to consider electric, water rate changes

Eugene Water & Electric Board commissioners will hold the second of two hearings on Tuesday night (March 18) to gather public comments about a decrease in electric rates and an increase in water rates.

The hearing will be held during the commissioners’ regular board meeting, which begins at 7:30 p.m. in the North Building at EWEB. The first public hearing was held Feb. 19.

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 lowered electric rates, by a total decrease 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.