FAQs

Billing FAQs

How do I sign up for new service?

The best way to sign up for new service is to call us at (541) 746-1583 during normal business hours. The sign-up process usually takes about five minutes.  To help assist you when you call, please have the following information ready:

  • Service address
  • Desired service start date
  • Full name(s) to appear on the account
  • Date of birth
  • Social Security number
  • Driver's license number
  • Telephone number
  • Email address (optional)
Why do I pay an electric system charge each month?

This is a fixed charge that covers a portion of EPUD costs occurring regardless of energy use.  These costs are shared by all customers and include a portion of the cost of providing power (from the substation to the meter), billing, repayment of long-term debt, communications, and general administrative costs.

What is the kilowatt-hour (kWh) Usage Charge?

(Previously split into two separate charges: Distribution and Energy)  Now combined for simplicity's sake, this is EPUD's actual cost to purchase power from Bonneville Power Administration as well as the actual cost of delivering power to your home. This includes the cost of maintenance on power lines and substations, tree trimming, and other expenses.

How can I pay my bill?

EPUD offers many payment plans for your flexibility. We have an AutoPay option and an online payment option. You can also make a payment over the phone, and payment drop-off stations are available at multiple locations including our main office. View our Payment Options page for more information.

What is paperless billing?

Paperless billing allows you to receive and pay for your statement online.  You receive notification of a new bill via email and follow the link provided to pay your bill. There is no postage and no paper usage. View our Billing Options page for more information.

General FAQ’s

I’ve heard that underground line is much more reliable than overhead line. Has EPUD considered changing its lines to underground?

Underground lines can be more reliable than overhead lines due to their resilience to being compromised by trees, winds, and other inclement weather. EPUD has moved some of the more problematic areas of our District to underground lines in order to bring the best service possible to our Customer-Owners. Moving all lines underground, however, is cost-prohibitive and is often not the correct action to take for other reasons as well. Following is a rough estimate of the difference in costs between building overhead and underground line, based on the capacity of the line:

6 megawatt (MW) line:

  • Build new overhead: $28 per foot
  • Build new underground or convert overhead to underground: $50 per foot

14 MW line:

  • Build new overhead: $30 per foot
  • Build new underground line: $125 per foot plus

In addition to these costs, there are add-in costs associated with flagging, special circumstances, etc., as it takes longer to build underground than overhead, which accentuates the difference in costs between overhead and underground.

It should also be noted that underground lines are not the perfect solution in all instances. It is problematic to read automated meters that are downstream of underground systems, and more importantly, underground lines severely limit our flexibility in operating and expanding the system.

EPUD makes the decision to install underground or overhead line based on what we feel is best for our Customer-Owners now and into the future.

I want to put a tool shed or plant some shrubs near my transformer. Are there any guidelines I need to follow?

When you make plans to landscape or make other changes in your yard, please remember these important points regarding EPUD equipment:

  • Obstructing airflow can affect equipment cooling and cause damage
  • Obstructions can cause delays when restoring electric service
  • Do not paint EPUD equipment
  • Do not fence, landscape, or build any structures within 10 feet of the front and three feet from sides and back of EPUD equipment that would restrict access
  • EPUD will remove obstructions that impede work access

If you are unsure if your landscaping plans will interfere with our equipment, give us a call at (541) 746-1583.

What is a PUD?

A People’s Utility District is a not-for-profit business, existing only to provide reliable electric service at reasonable rates. Public power systems belong to the people they serve. In our community, the owners and users of our electric utility are the same. That means that your goals are also ours. There are no dividends to pay out-of-state stockholders, and all the benefits of our locally controlled electric utility remain here in this community. Visit our Power Generation page for more information on public power.

What access to my property must I provide to EPUD employees?

By law, if EPUD provides electric service to you, the utility has the right to enter your property to read and/or maintain its metering equipment without your permission. You are responsible for providing clear, unobstructed access to EPUD equipment for the installation, maintenance, and removal of its property.

Have a question not answered here? Email Emerald and we will add it.