Clallam County’s two electricity utilities will both consider whether to agree to a settlement with the Bonneville Power Administration that would affect rates over the next 17 years.
The proposed settlement is intended to resolve long-standing disputes over how much public utilities, which have preference for BPA’s low-cost hydropower, should help subsidize the rates for residential customers of private power suppliers.
Both the Clallam County Public Utility District and city of Port Angeles must decide whether to adopt the proposed Bonneville Residential Exchange Settlement by April 15.
Today, the PUD commissioners will discuss the proposed settlement when they meet at 1:30 p.m. at the PUD’s Port Angeles office, 2431 E. U.S. Highway 101.
PUD spokesman Mike Howe said Saturday he thinks it could go “either way” but didn’t know if a decision will be made this week.
Port Angeles city staff are recommending that the City Council reject the settlement offer and instead resume litigation filed by public utilities against the BPA.
The City Council will consider the recommendation when it meets at 6 p.m. Tuesday in council chambers at City Hall, 321 E. Fifth St.
The settlement could save the average customer $532 a year over the next 17 years, according to the city.
But the outcome of the pending litigation, which would be dropped if enough utilities adopt the settlement, would be $850 per customer a year.
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
