By Joe Smillie

Forks Forum Editor

Clallam County PUD will increase its electric rates 3 percent this year and likely the next, after commissioners Monday morning approved the increase.

The approval came after a series of public forums about the increase held across Clallam County last month, including presentations June 27 in Forks and Sekiu. Both West End meetings were lightly attended.

Effective July 1, the base charge will rise from 73 cents to 75 cents per day and the cost per kilowatt hour will increase from 6.5 cents to 6.7 cents. That means an overall increase of $3.40 per month on the average customer’s bill, according to PUD spokesman Mike Howe.

Howe said the PUD also anticipates another 3-percent raise in both charges for 2014, as the Bonneville Power Administration increases the rate at which it charges the PUD for wholesale power.

The BPA increases are expected to cost the PUD an additional $1.8 million.

Howe said the BPA is making upgrades to much of its infrastructure, prompting the rate rise.

In addition, the PUD is planning $45.6 million in upgrades to its system over the next five years.

For more information, see the PUD web site: www.clallampud.net.