2020 PUD budget includes capital projects and possible 2% rate increase

The Grays Harbor PUD have approved their 2020 budget, including a possible increase to customers and $10 million for capital projects.

The PUD Board of Commissioners concluded the 2020 budget process recently, unanimously approving a $127-million budget for the coming year that maintains utility services, with over 70% of the 2020 spending plan will go to power purchases, and $10-million being spent on capital projects to renew and replace utility infrastructure.

 “It comes down to the service and the system that keeps the lights on for our customers.  This budget invests in the energy, staff and infrastructure our customers rely on to provide them with high value utility services,” said PUD Board President Russ Skolrood.  “This is a responsible budget for the utility and the customers it serves.”

 Of the $10-million capital budget, the PUD says that $4.2-million will be spent on the utility distribution system, just over $2-million each on the utility general plant and transmission system and $1.6-million on the PUD’s substations.  

They note projects including replacing aging equipment throughout the utility system, beginning work on replacing the 90 year old Chehalis River tower crossing, transformer and breaker replacement at substations throughout Grays Harbor, the replacement of two utility fleet line trucks and the continued growth of the PUD’s telecommunications system.

 “The PUD is responsible for telecom and energy service to over 41,000 customers.  To do that we must maintain tens of thousands of transmission and distribution poles, over 1500 miles of overhead and underground lines, 36 substations and hundreds of miles of telecommunications fiber,” said PUD Board Secretary Dave Timmons.  “Working together, our staff have put together a schedule and budget that helps grow and maintain a reliable system.”

 PUD customers may see a 2% increase in utility rates, beginning in May of 2020.  With 72% of utility costs tied to power purchases, PUD Board Vice President Arie Callaghan says the increase will cover the rising costs for those purchases, but will not be implemented until after the cooler winter temperatures have passed and the 2020 financial realities are clearer.

 “By waiting until May to actually adjust rates, we allow the high energy usage period to pass before impacting customer costs and allow staff to include seasonal factors that may impact the final size of the rate adjustment,” said Callaghan.  “Raising rates is never easy, but by making small adjustments each year, we are able to maintain the long tradition of safe and reliable service our customers expect and deserve.”