Snohomish PUD customers to see higher electricity bills as rate hikes take effect

Yahoo

05-02-2025

The Brief
Snohomish County PUD customers will see higher electricity bills starting in April.
The utility cites severe storms, inflation and winter weather as reasons for the increase.
For some, the hike means tough financial choices.
SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. - Snohomish County Public Utility District customers will see higher electricity bills starting in April as the utility adjusts rates to cover significant financial losses from extreme weather events and inflation.
The PUD board of commissioners approved the rate increase, citing the impact of severe storms and winter weather that cost the utility millions in restoration efforts.
The primary driver behind the rate hike is the extreme weather the region experienced in 2024. January's sub-freezing temperatures on Martin Luther King Jr. weekend led to skyrocketing energy market prices, costing the PUD an additional $45 million. In November, a powerful bomb cyclone resulted in widespread power outages, leading to $16 million in restoration costs.
Local customers are already feeling the pinch from inflation, and the added utility costs are yet another burden.
What they're saying
For some, the hike means tough financial choices. Meadowdale resident Sue O'Hare echoed similar frustrations.
"We used to be able to go out to eat for $20, now it's $50," O'Hare said. "I try not to look at [my electricity bill], but I know it's over $100."
Belle Moore, a Shoreline resident, pays about $70 a month for electricity. While she's not impacted by PUD she isn't pleased about the increase.
"The rate payers always get in the shorts," Moore said.
By the numbers
The increase will impact the daily base charge:
Single-family homes will see an average increase of $6.40 per month.
Multifamily homes and apartments will pay about $4 more per month.
Small businesses can expect an increase of approximately 80 cents per day.
Snohomish PUD Lead Communication Specialist Aaron Swaney said 2024 was a challenging year for utilities across the region.
"We've done a lot of cost-cutting measures to try to keep this rate increase as low as possible," Swaney said.
The PUD had a 5.8% rate increase in 2024 after several years without one. Inflationary pressures, supply chain issues, and severe weather events have contributed to the need for these adjustments.
"The rate payers always get in the shorts," said Moore. "It's going to hurt, people are hurting from all over. If you have senior citizens that can't stretch,"
"We faced significant challenges in 2024, and I'm proud of how the organization worked together to minimize this rate increase," John Haarlow, PUD CEO/General Manager said in a statement released Monday. "We recognize the impact cost increases can have on our customers and remain committed to providing reliable and environmentally sustainable power."
Puget Sound Energy also recently announced its own rate hikes. Earlier this month, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission approved PSE's two-year General Rate Case plan, which took effect on Jan. 29. PSE filed its rate increase request in February 2024.
Electricity increased by 11.5% in 2024, with another 6.4% hike coming in 2026. Gas prices went up by 10.6%, with an additional 1.8% increase expected in 2026.
For a typical residential electric customer using 800 kWh per month, the increase will be about $13.08 in 2025, bringing the average bill to $122.16. Another $7.67 increase is expected in 2026. Gas customers using 64 therms per month will see an increase of about $7.56 in 2025, with a smaller rise in 2026.
"Where do you cut?" Moore said. "You got to eat, you got to pay rent or mortgage, you have to provide, you have to survive, but on the other end, the utility has to make things work."
According to PSE, the increases are necessary to maintain essential utility services, invest in infrastructure, and comply with state-mandated clean energy goals. The plan includes projects like the $530 million Beaver Creek wind farm, long-term power purchase agreements to replace coal-fired generation, and upgrades to the electric grid to improve reliability and wildfire prevention.
What's next
Snohomish PUD says it has funds set aside for future weather events, but it's too early to determine whether additional increases will be necessary. For now, this hike will cover the budget through March 2026.
Both PUD and PSE encourage customers to explore assistance programs if they're struggling to pay their bills. PSE's programs include:
Bill Discount Rate: Income-qualified customers can receive up to 45% off their bill.
Past Due Bill Forgiveness: Customers making on-time payments can have portions of their past due balance forgiven, up to $2,500.
Home Weatherization Programs: Free energy-saving home upgrades for income-qualified customers.
Payment Arrangements: Flexible options to manage payments.
More information on PSE's assistance programs is available at pse.com/assistance. Customers looking to lower their energy usage can also explore rebates and efficiency programs at pse.com/rebates.
The PUD urges customers struggling with their bills to explore available assistance programs, including income-qualified discounts of 25% or 50%.
More information is available at snopud.com/rates
"We have great customer tools," Swaney said. "We have really robust income-qualified assistance programs that offer 25 or 50% off bills."
The Source
Information in this story came from the Snohomish County Public Utility District and FOX 13 Seattle reporting.
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