Current Issues

EPUD Board Approves Rate Increase

The Emerald People’s Utility District Board of Directors approved an average four percent rate increase during the Board meeting on May 11. After review of proposals by staff, the Citizen Advisory Committee, and the public, the Board adopted the increase effective July 1, 2010. This increase will cost the average EPUD residential Customer-Owner an additional $4 per month.

"EPUD’s highest priority is to provide reliable, cost-effective service to our Customer-Owners," said EPUD General Manager Frank Lambe. "The challenge remains that reliable service requires maintenance and upgrades, which cost more and more money as prices rise. The cost of power will also continue to rise, so while we strive constantly to tighten our belts and find the most cost-effective ways to operate, rate increases are still necessary to offset what we can’t compensate for internally."

As a not-for-profit public power entity, EPUD provides power to its Customer-Owners at-cost, and raises rates only when necessary to cover the cost of providing power to its District. CLICK HERE for more information on the rate increase.

EPUD Office Hour Change

**PLEASE NOTE: As of Monday May 3, EPUD office hours are Monday through Thursday 7:30 a.m. - 6 p.m. For more information on this change CLICK HERE.

Power Supply

Just a flick of the switch and it’s there. Most of us take electricity for granted. Lighting our homes and powering our appliances is so effortless that we don’t think about what it takes to make it happen. For decades, electric utilities have engaged in long-term planning and invested in research, infrastructure and technology to ensure that we all have safe, reliable and affordable power. 

Today utilities face a significant challenge. They must meet the rapidly rising demand for energy, achieve environmental goals and keep electricity reliable and affordable. Electric utilities are customizing plans to meet their own communities’ needs and collaborating, comparing and sharing information to find solutions to the Northwest’s complex energy challenges.

The “Plan Today. Power Tomorrow.” project is one way for electric utilities to come together to educate everyone in the region about the realities of future energy challenges and how we all need to pull together to address them. The campaign focuses on on three key messages:

1. Our energy needs are growing. 
2. New resources & technologies are the solution.  
3. And it’s going to cost all of us more.  

In today’s rapidly changing power industry, it is more important than ever for policymakers and the public to understand the state of the Northwest power system. This project, developed and coordinated by PNUCC, will help communicate the tradeoffs inherent in new and complicated energy issues and explain how these challenges affect what utilities must do to dependably deliver affordable electric power in the future.

PNUCC wants to help member utilities find ways to invite their customers to become part of the solution by raising awareness and showing them the benefits and impacts of their choices.

Utilities Respond to Growing Need for Electricity

There’s no doubt that the call for energy in the Pacific Northwest will be increasing.

Our region’s population is growing and so are new technologies that rely on electricity as a power source. The demand for electricity is expected to increase significantly in the next decade.

Many utilities have added renewable power sources and are exploring others in response to environmental goals mandated by recent legislation. Greater energy demand, resources and other issues, plus new environmental requirements will all influence EPUD's plans for providing reliable, affordable power in the future.

“Utilities engage in long-term planning and regularly assess the risks and benefits of various energy resources, new technologies and energy-efficiency methods to meet future electricity needs,” says Frank Lambe, EPUD General Manager. “Our customers count on us to provide reliable electricity at the most reasonable price possible, while protecting the environment,” explains Lambe.

Utilities will partner with consumers to intensify energy efficiency efforts. At the same time, utilities will explore and support new technology development, invest in infrastructure upgrades and integrate additional renewable resources to keep pace with the growing power demand.

There are still many unknowns and utilities face complex challenges regarding electricity resources and demand. Utilities are working, independently and as a team, with regional energy partners to inform  customers and policymakers so that we all can be part of the solution.

EPUD participates in the Plan Today Power Tomorrow regional energy project, www.pnucc.org

Conservation, Renewables and Technology Help Meet Electricity Needs

Utilities in the Pacific Northwest expect a significant increase in the need for electricity in the coming decade. Regional population growth and new technologies that rely on electric power will fuel this growing need.

“Our responsibility is to provide reliable power at the most reasonable cost, in an environmentally sound way,” says Frank Lambe, EPUD General Manager. “To that end, we plan to diversify with alternative energy resources, intensify conservation and energy efficiency efforts and explore new technologies.”

Traditional resources, hydropower and coal -- which currently comprise 70 percent of our region’s resources -- will continue to be a big part of the equation. Also, the use of natural gas, which has been on the rise, will continue to increase. Development of wind power already tops the list of renewable resource projects and growth is expected to accelerate. Other new renewable technologies being explored include geothermal, solar, wave energy and biomass. 

“Renewable resources protect the environment, but also present challenges,” says Lambe. “Obstacles include significant cost and infrastructure needed to integrate renewables, transmission constraints and the need for back-up to provide reliability, e.g., other power sources for when the wind isn’t blowing or the sun isn’t shining.

“We’re taking care of keeping the lights on while we augment conservation efforts and investigate new opportunities, “ says Lambe. “A new technology in very early development will enable demand response and our customers’ ability to affect their own electricity usage.”

EPUD participates in the Plan Today Power Tomorrow regional energy project, www.pnucc.org

Crucial Investments by Utilities Bring Opportunities and Costs

Population growth and new technologies that rely on electric power are expected to significantly increase the need for electricity in the Pacific Northwest.

“Despite increased demand, we will continue to reliably deliver increasingly clean energy, while managing cost,” says Frank Lambe, EPUD General Manager. “There are many unknowns and challenges ahead, but we have always come through for our customers and will continue to do so.”

In addition to upgrading and improving traditional resources – hydropower, coal and natural gas – utilities have been intensifying conservation efforts and will do even more to develop additional renewable resources such as wind and solar power projects.

“Utilities will also make substantial investments in new power plants and transmission systems that deliver electricity, as well as energy efficiency to effectively meet growing needs,” says Lambe.

These crucial investments will create the expanded infrastructure needed to integrate renewables; expand overtaxed transmission systems and provide funds to develop and test new technologies and help utilities and customers increase energy efficiency. Major investments by utilities create new opportunities for increasing the supply of electricity while protecting our environment, but they do come at a cost. Utilities will continue to work hard to control costs and partner with customers to improve energy efficiency to keep their power costs as low as possible.

 “These investments will enable us to serve our growing community, ensure reliability and address current and potential environmental regulations and issues,” says Lambe.

EPUD participates in the Plan Today Power Tomorrow regional energy project, www.pnucc.org