For More Information Contact:
Lance Robertson, 984-4716 or 954-7509 (cell)
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Commissioners increase electric, water rates

Eugene Water & Electric Board commissioners on March 16 approved rate increases for electric and water service.

The unanimous votes to increase electric and water rates followed the second of two public hearings that were held Feb. 17 and Tuesday night. The increases will be reflected in May bills.

Commissioners approved a 4.6 percent overall increase in electric rates. The residential rate increase would be 6.6 percent. Industrial, commercial and other customers would see rate increases above or below the average of 4.6 percent.

All of the revenues generated from the increase will be dedicated to capital needs associated with maintaining and upgrading EWEB's electric distribution, transmission and generation system. A residential customer using 1,250 kilowatt-hours a month would pay an additional $5.50 per month.

Commissioners also approved a 5.6 percent overall increase in water rates to pay for general operating costs that have risen due to inflation over the past two years. Residential customers will see rates increase an average of 6.4 percent, or less than $1 a month for the average customer.

EWEB, Oregon's largest public utility, serves 83,000 electric customers and 47,000 water customers.

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