KLICKITAT CO. — Klickitat Public Utility District (KPUD) approved a 3% electric rate increase as part of its 2026 budget adoption during a public hearing held Dec. 9. The new rates take effect Jan. 1 and apply across all retail rate classes. The increase will add an average of $4.46 per month to a residential customer’s bill.
KPUD’s power costs continue to rise due primarily to higher Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) rates and increased reliance on higher-cost Tier 2 power as customer demand exceeds KPUD’s BPA preference allocation. BPA increased rates by approximately 4.5% in October 2025. Additional cost pressures include higher transportation, materials, insurance, and construction expenses.
General operating cost increases account for roughly half of the rate adjustment and will increase KPUD’s annual revenue requirement by approximately $1 million. KPUD expects future rate adjustments of around 3% as it invests in essential infrastructure to maintain reliability and accommodate load growth associated with increased electrification.
Outdoor lighting rates were reviewed separately, and savings from KPUD’s ongoing conversion to LED lighting have allowed reductions in rates for yard lights and community street lighting.
More information is available at www.klickitatpud.com, and customer service representatives are available to help customers estimate individual bill impacts.
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