SPRINGFIELD, Ore. (KMTR) -- The Emerald People’s Utility District is talking about raising rates. It's proposing a 3% hike which is about a $3 monthly increase for most customers.
EPUD representative Amber Fossen says wholesale electric rates are up, revenue from surplus power is down and it’s costing more to maintain electric systems.
“A lot of utilities are in the same boat right now. We have a lot of the same external factors weighing in on our budget and really having us look at how we do business, how we deliver service and coming up with solutions to keep providing that excellent service in a way that again limits that impact to customers, owners in terms of the cost," Fossen said.
EPUD has raised its rates twice in three years. It's trying to avoid a larger, one-time increase by implementing smaller price hikes. The utility board is expected to vote on the proposal December 11.
