Lewis County PUD Commissioners Approve the Budget with No New Rate Increases.
Chehalis, WA (November 2, 2022) – The Lewis County PUD (PUD) Commissioners passed budgets for 2023 and 2024 with no expected rate increases at their meeting on October 18, 2022, and finalized the process by taking no rate action at their meeting on November 1, 2022.
“Our PUD’s Board of Commissioners adopted a balanced two-year budget with no planned increase in retail rates,” Chris Roden PUD General Manager said. “Through a combination of cost management efforts and strategic investment, we will be able to continue reinforcing our system, investing in broadband, and providing great service.”
While the cost of goods has risen over the past five years, PUD staff have worked to responsibly limit rate increases. PUD customers will have no planned increase to their energy burden for the next two-year budget period.
“To pass on a zero percent increase for the customers is significant because inflation is impacting everyone including the PUD,” Ed Rothlin PUD Commissioner said. “We will continue to maintain not only affordability but also safety and reliability and in the future that will be a focus.”
The commissioners closed their public hearing for the rate schedule on Tuesday, November 1, moving forward without changes to the 2022 rate schedule.
“This is an outstanding outcome for the community, as customers are dealing with rising costs in many areas, their PUD rates will remain unchanged for the next two years,” added Roden.
The budgets were both passed with Commissioners Rothlin and Michael Kelly voting in favor and Commissioner Tim Cournyer voting against them.
If you would like to learn more about the rates and public process to establish rates, visit our website, Lewis County Website, and visit the Rate Setting Page.