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Power plan generates criticism Residents question officials By Jill Briskey Community members decided to turn up the heat on both PacifiCorp and Public Utility Commission officials during a public hearing Friday night. If granted approval by the PUC, PacifiCorp could raise residential and commercial rates 21 percent in August to increase net power costs while also paying for such factors as high demands for power, unexpected costs, maintenance and improvements. Officials listened as eight community members voiced concerns at the Jackson County Courthouse. After a question and answer session, comments from the audience were recorded for further consideration. "Since the power company is owned by the taxpayers, I don�t think you have any right to raise prices," Central Point resident Walter Hartinger said. "I don�t see any reason how now, all of the sudden, power costs so much." PacifiCorp representative Bruce Hallebeck fielded questions during the event as he explained the process surrounding the rate increase approval and the reasoning behind the proposed increase itself. "Unfortunately, our rates today aren�t covering our costs," he said. "We�re trying to get our revenue to equal our costs." If approved, residential users could expect to see a 14.9 percent increase. That means a household using 500 kilowatt hours would see its bill jump about $5.75 a month, Hallebeck said. Residential customers using 1,000 kilowatt hours � an average amount � would pay an additional $9.71. Small commercial users would see rates jump 7 percent, while medium commercial customers would realize a 14.9 percent increase. Industrial users, however, would see only a 4.2 percent hike. "Industrial customers for the last few years have actually paid a little more," Hallebeck said. The total increase of 21 percent would be offset by credits from the Bonneville Power Administration, a $12 million annual credit from the PacifiCorp-Scottish Power merger and $19 million from the sale of the Washington-based Centralia steam plant. Administrative law judge Ruth Crowley of the PUC said concerned residents can file formal testimony that will be will be taken into account before the final decision is made later this year. That testimony will be heard May 29-31, she added. Medford resident Gordon Bentson argued that community members on a fixed income will have a hard time adjusting. "The rate payers are sadly in need of protection," he said. "I�ll probably find a way to afford it, but reluctantly." Barbara Grey of Medford urged the gathering to lobby the state Legislature concerning deregulation. "There are many people in Oregon that are not part of the so-called booming economy," she said. "I don�t think that an essential service such as power should be a deregulated item." Reach reporter Jill Briskey at 776-4485, or e-mail [email protected] Mail Tribune Home | Ottaway Newspapers, Inc. | Dow Jones & Co., Inc. | Privacy | Contact Us Copyright � 2000 Mail Tribune, Inc.