The Times - Serving Waitsburg, Dayton and the Touchet Valley

DAYTON—On Aug. 4 Pacific Power Community Regional Manager Bill Clemens shared information with the Port’s Economic Development Steering Committee about a proposed rate settlement, which could provide more than 137,000 customers in central and eastern Washington with lower bills and rate stability.

The proposed settlement requires final approval by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Committee and includes an agreement from Pacific Power not to file another general rate case before 2023.

Clemens said, if approved, the all-party settlement will cut rates by 1.2-percent. It will provide customer stability during the COVID-19 economic crisis while doubling the number of renewable energy sources serving Washington customers.

Other highlights of the proposed settlement include:

• Full pass-through of remaining federal tax savings related to the 2017 tax reduction act over five years

• Accelerating depreciation of coal plant investments to remove coal from Washington customer rates by 2023

• Nearly doubling the amount of low-cost wind generation serving Washington customers beginning Jan. 2021

• Creation of a low-income advisory committee to continue the development of programs and policies to assist low-income customers. Issues to be addressed include examining fuel assistance programs and efforts to reduce service disconnections

•A flattened rate structure that equitably allocates costs among energy users

The changes will take effect on Jan. 1, 2021, if the settlement is approved. Rates will differ depending on the customer type.