Power rate hike deal reached

The agreement calls for a 1.5 percent hike for Pacific Power customers.

WALLA WALLA -- Pacific Power's rate increase won't be quite the jolt on monthly bills as originally expected under a new settlement agreement announced this morning.

The Portland-based utility has reached an agreement with staff members for the state's Utilities and Transportation Commission on a 1.5 percent rate increase for customers, officials said.

The decision still needs approval from the three-member Utilities and Transportation Commission, which is not bound by the staff recommendation.

If the recommendation is approved, the increase will take effect June 1. However, as part of the agreement, Pacific Power will not be able to file another general rate case with the commission, the agency that regulates private and investor-owned electric companies, before next January.

Under the settlement agreement, Pacific Power's annual electric revenue would increase by $4.5 million.

The average residential customer using about 1,000 kilowatt hours per month will see an increase of $1.24 for a total monthly bill of $77.65. The basic monthly service charge of $6, which is paid by all customers regardless of the amount of electricity used, would stay the same.

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