Eugene Water & Electric Board (EWEB) will hold a final public hearing Tuesday on a proposal that would increase rates for most EWEB electric and water customers. The hearing will be held during the Board’s regularly scheduled meeting in EWEB’s Board Room and will begin at approximately 7:30 p.m.
Under the proposal, water rates would increase by five percent of the total water bill for the average residential water customer -- resulting in an increase of about 65 cents per month. Increased funding for water conservation programs, renewal and replacement of existing infrastructure, increased costs for water rights and increasing power costs for pumping are driving the rate adjustment. Water rates were last increased in 1998.
Electric rates would increase by an average of 7.8% – specifically, 6.9% for residential customers. This would increase the average residential customer’s electric bill by $4.70 per month. Sharply increasing prices for purchased power are responsible for the majority of the increase. A small portion of the increase covers general cost escalations and inflation. Electric rates were last increased in 1993 to cover a BPA rate increase. The last rate increase prompted by EWEB costs was in 1991.
The EWEB Board is scheduled to make its final decision on Tuesday evening after this second public hearing. The new rates would be effective April 1.