Media Alert
For information:
Erica Erland, Clark Public Utilities
360-992-3238 (desk), 206-604-1509 (mobile)
[email protected]
CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD ADOPTS 2016 BUDGET FOR ELECTRIC, GENERATING AND WATER SYSTEMS
– Rates for electric and water service remain unchanged, no increases required. –
VANCOUVER, WA – December 8, 2015 – The Clark Public Utilities commission voted today to approve annual budgets for the electric, generating and water systems.
The combined operating budget for the electric and generating systems for 2016 is $368.2 million, less than a $100,000 increase over the 2015 budget. Power supply remains the large majority of the budget at 68.1 percent ($250.6 million) and the Operating and Maintenance budget is 13.9 percent at $51.2 million. The remainder is comprised of taxes, debt service, rate funded capital and conservation funding.
Commissioners also approved $15.7 million for the 2016 water system budget, compared to $16.5 in 2015.
Capital budgets for both the electric and water systems allocate funds for system maintenance and improvements. For the electric and generating systems, projects planned for the combined $39.1 million capital investment include treatment and replacement of aging underground cable; substation, transmission and distribution line upgrades; and plant maintenance. The $8.2 million capital budget for the water system allocates funds for main extensions and upgrades with the remainder slated for reservoir and well construction.
The approved budget absorbs a 4.8 percent rate increase from the Bonneville Power Administration, which supplies approximately 60 percent of the utility’s power. Electric and water rate increases are not currently required to fund the approved budgets.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility that provides electric service to more than 192,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to about 30,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas.
Clark Public Utilities has been ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the west by J.D. Power eight years in a row. More information at 360-992-3000 or www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
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