Power, irrigation charges increase

RITZVILLE — Ratepayers power bills are going to get a little more expensive this year.

Big Bend Electric Cooperative announced last week that its customers are going to see a rate increase effective April 1.

The average 5% increase will be applied to all classes of customers, including residential and commercial power customers.

While every customer will see an increase, 5% is the average, officials said, noting some customers will see a higher increase and others a lower increase.

Irrigation customers will see a horsepower charge rate increase beginning Feb. 1.

Cooperative officials said the rate increase is necessary due to inflation, as well as rising wholesale power price, operations and maintenance costs.

Additional regulations are also driving up related costs, officials said.

With the rate increase factored in, cooperative officials said the cost will still be lower than the state average. According to Big Bend Electric Cooperative numbers, the new residential average will be 7 cents per kWh.