Contact: Dameon Pesanti, Clark Public Utilities
360-992-3449, [email protected]
CLARK PUBLIC UTILITIES BOARD ADOPTS 2022 BUDGET FOR ELECTRIC, GENERATING AND WATER SYSTEMS
– Rates for electric and water service remain unchanged, no increases required. –
VANCOUVER, WA – December 7, 2021 – The Clark Public Utilities commission voted today to approve annual budgets for the electric, generating and water systems. Electric and water rate increases are not currently required to fund the approved budgets.
“The primary responsibility of a public utility is to plan for the future while ensuring that today’s needs are met, and to do that as reliably and affordably as possible,” said Jim Malinowski, president of the Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners. “To strike that balance without raising rates since 2011 is commendable and reflects the smart, strategic planning that has kept this utility such an asset to Clark County.”
The operating revenue budget for the electric system for 2022 is $395.1 million, compared to $384.8 million in 2021. Power supply remains the large majority of the budget at $243.8 million, an increase of about $19 million from 2021. The Operating and Maintenance budget is $66 million, compared to $62 million in 2021. The remainder is comprised of taxes, debt service, rate-funded capital and funding for energy efficiency programs.
Commissioners also approved $22 million for the 2022 water system operating revenue budget, compared to $21.6 million in 2021. The generating system operating revenue budget is $75.3 million for 2022, up $6.4 million from 2021 but below the budgeted $76.3 million in 2020.
“This budget is a testament to staff’s diligence in identifying and evaluating prudent and sustainable paths forward to reduce emissions and increase flexibility as we anticipate continued economic growth in the service area,” Malinowski said.
Capital budgets for both the electric and water systems allocate funds for system upgrades and improvements. For the electric and generating systems, projects planned for the combined $55.3 million capital investment include substation, transmission and distribution line construction and upgrades; and generating system improvements. The $11.2 million capital budget for the water system allocates funds for main extensions, meters and upgrades and investments in reservoirs and booster stations.
About Clark Public Utilities
Clark Public Utilities is a customer-owned public utility that provides electric service to more than 224,000 customers throughout Clark County. The utility also provides water service to about 38,000 homes and businesses in the Hazel Dell, Salmon Creek, Lakeshore, Hockinson, Brush Prairie, La Center, Meadow Glade, Amboy and Yacolt areas.
Clark Public Utilities has been ranked highest in customer satisfaction among midsize utilities in the west by J.D. Power 13 years in a row. More information at 360-992-3000 or www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
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