BPA to hold line on 2024-25 power rates
STAFF REPORT | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 3 years, 11 months AGO
PORTLAND — The Bonneville Power Administration, which markets and sells electricity generated by 31 federally owned and operated dams in the Pacific Northwest, is not going to increase power rates in 2024 and 2025, according to a BPA press release.
According to the press release, the BPA does not need to raise rates for the next two years because of the organization’s strong financial performance in fiscal year 2022, which ended on Sept. 30.
“This is one of those bountiful years where all the elements and timing came together is such a manner that we can consider staving off inflation for another two years by keeping rates flat for our power and transmission customers,” said BPA Administrator John Hairston in the press release.
The BPA provides wholesale electricity to utilities in Washington, Idaho and Oregon as well as parts of California, Nevada, Utah, Wyoming and Montana. The agency, which is part of the U.S. Department of Energy, is a nonprofit entity and is allowed to charge rates that cover power generation, maintenance and upkeep, the press release said. The agency sets power rates for commercial customers in two-year increments, with the current rate cycle scheduled to last through fiscal year 2023, which ends on Sept. 30, 2023.
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Connell woman killed in Booker Road crash
CONNELL — Charges are pending against a Kennewick man following a collision about 12 miles south of Othello that killed a Connell woman and injured three other people Tuesday evening. A Washington State Patrol press memo said intoxicating substances were a factor. Jessica Zarate, 37, Connell, was pronounced dead at the scene of the crash near the intersection of SR 17 and South Booker Road, the WSP memo said. She was driving south on Booker Road approaching the intersection when her car was hit by a pickup driven by John Reiss, 62, Kennewick. Edgar Garcia Quirino, 28, Othello, was driving north on SR 17 and ran into Zarate's car, the WSP memo said. The crash occurred at about 6:40 p.m.
Wheeler Road closed because of traffic collision
UPDATE: The road was reopened as of noon, according to a GCSO media release. MOSES LAKE — Grant County Sheriff’s Office has announced there is a road closure between Road 3-NE and Road S-NE. There was a serious traffic collision. GCSO is asking for drivers to avoid the area and find alternative routes. This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
Doors opening: The Currents will provide homeownership for more local workers
About 104 homes are planned at the former Atlas sawmill site
Teachers, nurses, firefighters and other workers who keep Coeur d’Alene running will soon have more places to buy a home in the community where they work. About 104 homes are being planned to be built at Atlas Waterfront, on roughly 10 acres that are part of a swath of land that was once home to the Atlas sawmill and is being redeveloped. Ignite CDA, the city of Coeur d’Alene’s urban renewal agency, is leading this effort.