Umatilla Electric Cooperative will adjust retail rates for all classes of service effective Jan. 1, 2014. The average residential electric bill will increase by about $10 per month (about 34 cents per day).
Some average rates will decrease and others will rise under the new rate schedule. The changes range from an average decrease of 3.4 percent for large irrigators to an average increase of 9.5 percent for residential members.
One driving factor in the new rates has been an increase in wholesale electricity prices. Effective Oct. 1, 2013, Bonneville Power Administration increased the cost of wholesale power by about 9 percent to Umatilla Electric and other public utilities throughout the Northwest. Umatilla Electric’s wholesale power costs comprise about two-thirds of its total operating expenses.
UEC commissioned a Cost Service Analysis to help apply rate changes in a way that would better mirror how the cooperative is charged for wholesale power and to reflect the cost of providing service to various rate classes.
“Although costs are rising in all aspects of our business, we have held the line or decreased our other expenses,” said Steve Eldrige, UEC general manager and CEO. “Our Board and staff remain focused on continuing to refine our operations and on keeping our rates as low as possible.”
In the rates taking effect Jan. 1, UEC residential members will pay 6.37 cents for the first 900 kilowatt-hours in summer months and the first 1,300 kilowatt hours in winter months, and 8.34 cents for kilowatt-hours used above those levels.
Under the new rates, during summer months, a residential member who uses 1,500 kilowatt hours would pay $107.37 in energy charges, up from the current amount of $97.62.
The new rate schedule also increases the residential monthly customer charge by 50 cents, to $14. The customer charge helps defray some of UEC’s non-energy costs that are necessary to serve customers.
Cooperative members are invited to attend any of the following open house meetings to learn more about the rate changes and how UEC conservation programs may help reduce energy costs.
- Boardman – Nov. 19, 4–6 p.m., Port of Morrow, 2 Marine Drive, Boardman
- Meacham – Nov. 20, 4–6 p.m., Emigrant Springs State Park Community Building, 65068 Old Oregon Trail Hwy, Meacham
- Hermiston – Nov. 25, 4–6 p.m., Umatilla Electric Cooperative, 750 W. Elm, Hermiston
The U.S. Energy Information Administration estimates the U.S. average price for residential customers is 12.11 cents per kilowatt hour, and expects the average to rise to 12.43 cents in 2014. UEC offers a heating assistance program for those who meet income requirements.
Umatilla Electric last implemented a rate adjustment on Jan. 1, 2012. Umatilla Electric serves more than 14,000 accounts in Eastern Oregon’s Umatilla, Morrow and Union counties.
