The Emerald People's Utility District is raising its rates effective April first. Like many utilities in the northwest, it's paying more for electricity and receiving less income from selling surplus power.
The board of the non-profit electric utility agreed last week to raise its rates. EPUD Community Relations Coordinator Caitlin O'Quinn says the average residential customer will have to pay about $3.44 more per month.
O'Quinn: "We're still on the lower end of the utilities here in our area and we're 18 % less than our predecessor, Pacific Power. And that was always a goal of ours was to keep the rates lower than what they would have been with Pacific Power.
EPUD's General Manager Scott Coe resigned in November after some recorded phone conversations between himself and a board member were heard by others on the board. Coe was re-instated recently. O'Quinn says staff is happy to have him back. The recordings are available via public records request.
