Rate Credit Starting June 1
Residential, General Service and Small Irrigation customers will see a line item credit on their monthly bill of $.004 per kWh used each month for a year, commencing June 1, 2008.

For Residential customers, the credit decreases the cost per kilowatt hour by 6.9 percent and the base charge of $8.80 will remain the same. The average residential customer will receive about $70 over the year.

Large Irrigation customers will receive a line item credit of $.0020 per kWh for three months (June - August) due to the seasonal energy usage with a final payment after the last BPA payment is received by Benton PUD.

Benton PUD will receive a projected total of $9.8 million from the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) due to the interim relief payment agreement associated with the Residential Exchange. Benton PUD received approximately $6.4 million in April and is projected to receive an additional amount of approximately $3.4 million at the conclusion of the 2007 Supplemental Rate case in September. The final amount is yet to be determined. The customer rate credit may be adjusted when the final payment is received from BPA in September.

The payment to Benton PUD is part of the proposed $316 million BPA agreed to pay to public utilities in the Northwest. The Residential Exchange Program was established in 1980 in the Northwest Power Act to share access to low-cost hydro power with investor owned utilities’ residential and farm customers. In May, the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that BPA had exceeded its authority and failed to follow the Act in determining residential exchange benefits for the region’s investor-owned utilities.

We Value Your Opinion

Benton PUD wants to be sure that we continue to provide the service our customers need and deserve.  Your opinion is important to us!  Please take a moment to fill out our customer survey.

Benton PUD receives Tree Line USA Award

Benton PUD was honored with the Tree Line USA Award for the ninth consecutive year.  The Tree Line USA Award was founded by The National Arbor Day Foundation to recognize utilities for national leadership in utility arboriculture.  The award is based on utilities commitment to quality tree care, public education and tree planting. 

Benton PUD’s tree program was developed to ensure Benton PUD provided quality tree care practices and help customers plant the appropriate trees near utility lines.  The benefits of the program have been healthier trees, less outages and long-term savings to Benton PUD.

 April is Earth Month

 April in the Mid-Columbia is traditionally a time to clean up, or get involved to help make our community a little greener and a little cleaner.  New this year, is Earth Pledge, an on-line registration that tracks and features local pledges for Earth Month.  

 It offers the same activities of years past, such as clean-up projects and contests, as well as new ways to get involved and make a positive impact on the environment.  Users can select or pledge their month-long commitment, including recycling, traveling green, composting, conserving water or energy and more.  At the end of the month, participants report their results and in return, the first 1,000 individuals will receive an earth-friendly canvas tote bag or a Western White Pine Conifer Seedling.  Large groups will receive a tree to plant in their honor. For more information, visit www.earthmonthmc.org

What's New Archive