An abnormally cold and wet early winter has officials with the Clallam County Public Utility District warning customers that as temperatures drop their utility bills may be on the rise.
In the first 21 days of December the average daily temperature in 2015 across the county was 42 degrees; in 2016, that figure dropped to 33 degrees.
The corresponding strain on the PUD’s electric system jumped up in that same time frame, noted Michael Howe, PUD’s communications and government relations manager, with power usage rising from about 50 million kilowatt-hours in 2015 to about 60 million in 2016.
That 201-percent jump from 2015 to 2016, Howe noted, represents both residential and commercials users. The figure increases to a 26-percent jump when looking only at residential customer usage, he said.
To help compensate for the rise in utility costs, PUD officials are urging customers to consider taking advantage of energy efficiency programs and incentives the PUD offers. They include duct sealing, high-efficiency replacement windows, high-efficiency heat pumps and ductless heat pumps. Learn more on the PUD website at www.clallampud.net/residential-rebate-incentive-programs.
Those having trouble paying their bills have options such as discounts for low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities, as well as assistance through local community action agencies. See www.clallampud.net/ assistance for more information.
Clallam County PUD is planning an increase in residential electric rates of about 3.8 percent, but the increase doesn’t go into effect until April 1.
Visit www.clallampud.net for more information.
PUD closing Co-op drop box
Effective 12:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 30, the PUD’s payment center at the Sequim Co-op will close permanently. Originally opened as a temporary solution for staff and operations to transition to the PUD’s Main Office in Carlsborg, the need to maintain the small payment center at the Co-op is no longer necessary, PUD officials said. The outside payment drop box will remain at the Sequim Co-op location, though cash is not accepted there.