Grays Harbor PUD Seeks Public Comment on New Rate Structure

Aberdeen, WA – The Grays Harbor Public Utility District today announced it will host a series of community workshops to gather public opinion and feedback from customers about proposed changes to the residential rate structure. The proposed changes are in response to customer feedback on the current residential rate structure and are intended to do the following:

· Ensure costs of the system are equally shared among residential customers

· Structure the rate to ensure bills reflect every kilowatt-hour of energy used

· Encourage energy conservation



The residential rate structure is the design and organization of billing charges for residential customers and takes into account the costs of providing services to customers, as well as the amount and cost of energy used by each customer. The proposed changes would result in a slight decrease in most residential bills with greater savings for those who use the least amount of energy.

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The upcoming workshops to discuss the proposed changes to the rate structure are scheduled as follows:



Ø Thursday August 5, 2010, 6pm-8pm

Ø Friday, August 6, 2010, noon – 1:30 pm

Ø Monday August 9, 2010, 3pm-4:30pm



All meetings will be held at the Grays Harbor PUD in the Nichols Building Meeting Room located at 220 Myrtle Street in Hoquiam. Customers who cannot attend the public workshops have other options to provide input, including:

Ø Online Presentation: Customers may access an on-line presentation on the PUD’s website at www.ghpud.org. The presentation explains the proposal and concludes with a survey to provide feedback. The survey will be posted on-line through August 10, 2010.



Ø Newsletter: An overview of the proposal and a copy of the survey are in the July 2010 energy newsletter included in customers’ bills. Customers may fill out the survey and mail it to the address provided on the survey form.



Ø At the PUD Office: Customers may pick up a printed copy of the on-line presentation and survey in the lobby of the PUD building located at 2720 Sumner Avenue in Aberdeen. Surveys may be returned to Customer Service or mailed to the address provided on the survey.



“We hope to thoroughly engage with our customers. This proposal is in direct response to feedback from our customers, and we want to get their input and thoughts before going any further.” said Liz Anderson, Community and Government Relations Director.



The public comment period is scheduled to end on August 10. The recommendations and feedback, provided by ratepayers through the workshops and customer surveys, will be shared with the PUD Commissioners. The Commissioners will then determine a timeframe to consider the proposed changes and recommendations.