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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Medford may ban outdoor pot gardens ... Medford man accused of threatening girlfriend with high-speed crash ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... Medford may ban outdoor pot gardens ... Medford man accused of threatening girlfriend with high-speed crash ... Rogue Valley doctor runs for governor on climate change platform ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Costs of storm cleanup are built into power rates Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM Posted Jul. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Social News Who picks up the tab, when power company crews go out to repair lines and transformers after big storms? Are the costs built into the monthly bills or are they part of the leverage utility companies have when they ask the PUC for rate increases? — Harry R., Medford Pacific Power, a unit of MidAmerican Energy Co., anticipates howling winds, thunderstorms and other mayhem when it draws up its operating and maintenance budgets. So when storms, such as the one that blew through Southern Oregon last week, knock out lines and lights, Pacific Power crews are ready to roll. Crews from Grants Pass, Klamath Falls and Yreka converged on Jackson County to help out in the July 7 storm. "The costs are built into our rates," said Pacific Power spokesman Ry Schwark. "We presume there will be a certain amount of damage and that's what we pay crews to do." Pacific Power has insurance for major events, but rarely seeks to file a claim. "In Oregon, we used to have more insurance up until a few years ago," Schwark said. "The rates on that insurance weren’t sustainable, so the cost of outages and repairs are now fully embedded in rates and flow through the Oregon Public Utility Commission in our general rate cases. We track those costs and have an account for them. We do have catastrophic insurance when damage exceeds $10 million, but that hasn’t been triggered in over five years." Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected]. To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Jul. 16, 2015 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2015 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501