Lauren Wimer Photographer
Starting in May, EWEB electric rates will increase by an average of 4.6 percent and 6.6
percent for residential customers, while water rates will increase 5.6 percent on average.
EWEB
continued from page 1
deterioration of EWEB's 23,000 mostly
wooden power poles is an area of par
ticular concern. Many of the poles
themselves are at least 30 years old,
while the poles are built to last only 40
to 50 years. Wooden cross arms on the
poles are also breaking down, causing
safety concerns, Robertson said.
Revenue from the increases will also
be used to supply additional capacity to
the Coburg Road region and other fast
growing areas, according to the release.
Although electric rates have in
creased nearly 50 percent during the
past three years, Robertson said EWEB's
rates are "about in the middle" com
pared to similar Northwest utilities.
"We're lower than three of the other
four public utilities that serve central
Lane County," Robertson said.
He added that the effect of the in
creases should be offset in late 2004
when the commissioners are expected
to remove a 5.7 percent surcharge. The
fee was implemented in 2002 to help
EWEB recover from the energy crisis.
Senior lustin Valasek, who shares a
house with several other students,
said the rate increases are understand
able because of the current economy.
He said he does not expect the
increases to change his power con
sumption habits.
"I don't think (the rate changes)
will affect us too much because we
minimize our electrical consumption
— we don't use heat during the win
ter," Valasek said.
However, junior Mia Leidelmeyer,
who also lives off-campus, said the
rate changes will adversely affect stu
dents, especially those who use elec
tric heat and frequently leave their
computers running. She said she uses
heat and incurs large bills, especially
during the winter.
"(The increase) makes me wish 1
had gas heat instead of electric heat —
it would save me so much money,"
Leidelmeyer said.
She added that even students who are
conscious of their power consumption
cannot dramatically reduce their bills.
"Even if (students) try to conserve
their heat the (electric) budget is still go
ing to be outrageous," Leidelmeyer said.
Robertson said the impact of the
rate changes will be different depend
ing on a client's power consumption
and financial situation.
"Obviously, when you have a rate
increase it's going to affect everyone's
pocketbook," Robertson said.
Yet Valasek said he is concerned
about the lack of electric service
RESIDENTIAL
ELECTRIC
RATECHANGES
• April 2000 (8.5 percent average
increase)
Monthly bill at 1,000 kWh: $49.01
• April 2001 (5.4 percent average
increase)
Monthly bill at 1,000 kWh: $51.18
• October 2001 (3.6 percent
average increase)
Monthly bill at 1,000 kWh: $65.65
• April 2002 (2.6 percent average
increase)
Monthly bill at 1,000 kWh: $67.54
• May 2004 (6.6 percent average
increase)
Monthly bill at 1,000 kWh: $71.95
SOURCE: Eugene Water and Electric Board
options and regulation of utilities in
Eugene, noting that EWEB is the only
electricity provider in the city.
"The only concern I have is EWEB
being a natural monopoly," Valasek
said. "They have no incentive to keep
their costs low."
Water service rates will also increase
an average of 5.6 percent, with resi
dential customers incurring a 6.4 per
cent raise on average. This translates to
less than $ 1 a month for average cus
tomers, according to the release.
The water rate increases will com
pensate for increasing operating costs
such as wages and employee benefits,
Robertson said.
Valasek said that a slightly larger
water bill won't greatly affect him or
his housemates.
"Our water bill is so low, especially
compared to our electrical bill, * he said.
Leidelmeyer agreed.
"(The water bill) isn't as much of a
concern for me as the electric bill is,"
she said.
Contact the state/city politics reporter
at parkerhowell@dailyemerald.com.
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