Come February, Eugene Water and Electric Board customers will be paying more for their utilities, if the board approves proposed rate increases.
EWEB’s management has recommended increases of 4.5% for electricity and 3% for water. For a single-family home, that’s about $6 more per month for electricity and $1 more for water. Spokesman Joe Harwood explains one reason for the rate hike:
Harwood: “EWEB continues to face diminishing revenues due to the continuing low prices that we receive for selling surplus power to other utilities.”
Historically, customer rates have been offset by selling extra power, but demand went down in 2008 and hasn’t yet recovered.
Even with the proposed 3% water rate increase, EWEB's would still be among the lowest rates in the northwest. EWEB’s electric rates are in the top third in the region, partially due to investments in wind and biomass power.
Commissioners will vote December 3rd on whether to approve the increases. A public hearing will precede the vote.