For More Information Contact:
Joe Harwood, 685-7471
Eugene Water & Electric Board

Oct. 2, 2009

EWEB commissioners to vote on proposed rate increase

Eugene Water & Electric Board commissioners will hold the second and final public hearing at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 6, on a proposed electric rate increase that would become effective with customers’ November bills.

The proposed overall 5 percent electric rate increase would recover additional charges resulting from wholesale energy cost increases by the Bonneville Power Administration. Bonneville, which supplies EWEB with about 70 percent of its electricity needs, is planning to increase wholesale rates this fall. EWEB commissioners have a general policy of passing on to customers any increase or decrease in Bonneville power costs.

The effect of the proposed rate action would result in an increase of $3.78 per month, or 4.5 percent, for the average residential customer.

If approved, the rise in electric rates would mark the first increase since 2006. EWEB commissioners have decreased rates four times since 2005, for a cumulative reduction of about 6 percent. Due to recessionary pressures on its revenues, EWEB has undertaken a series of austerity measures that have reduced its 2009 budget by about $2.6 million, with plans to cut another $2 million from its 2010 budget.

Tuesday’s public hearing, to be followed by a vote on the proposed increase, will take place after the start of the commissioners’ regular board meeting at 6:30 p.m. in the North Building at EWEB, 500 E. Fourth Ave.

Read more about the proposed rate action.