East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-07-30
COMMISSION LOWERS
ELECTRIC CHARGES
IN UNION COUNTY
ELECTRIC COMPANIES CANNOT
CHARE ANYTHING FOR USE
OF STREAMS.
Rates In Baker Had Been Lowered
PreviOuSly--New La GFande Rates
Win COFrespond-(iradua Scale
OF Prices Fixed by Commission.


Win CoFrespOnd-(iradua Scale
OF Prices Fixed by Commission.
SALEM, Ore. July S0.-The State
Public Service commission today ord
cred a substantial reduction in the
lighting rates OF La Grande and a con-
siderable decrease in the rates at
Haines. Rock Creek, Bourne. North
Powder, Union, Cove. Hot Lake. La
Grande, Island City. Alicel Imbler, Ell
gin and other communities Of Baker,
Union and Grant counties served by
the Eastern Oregon Light & Power
company. The new rates are effee-
tive August /.
The La Grande rates are made the
same as those in Baker, which the
La Grande Commercial club quoted
in its complaint against the Eastern
Oregon Light & Power company. to
show that the La Grande rates were
too high.
The Eastern oregon company had
reduced its rates at Baker to meet
threatened competition in commercial
lighting from the municipal plant,
which furnishes street lighting.
New Rate Schedule.
Following is the rate in cents per
kilowatt hour for consumption in one
month, as fixed for Baker and La
Grande: First 100 kilowatt hours
10; next 100 kilowatt hours. 1-2;
next 100 kilowatt hours. 3: next 100
kilowatt hours, IL; next 100 kilo-
watt hours, S. next 1O0 kilowatt hours
Z; next 100 kilowatt hours, 6; all over
700 kilowatt hours, 5.
Subject to a prompt payment dis
count of 10 per cent if paid within
10 days after the date of billing.
Minimum bill 81 per month, not
subject to discount.
Other Rates Fixed.
The following are the new lighting
rates resident and commercial. att
localities other than Baker and LaI
Grande:
First 100 kilowatt haurs, l2: next
100 kilowatt hours. IL: next 100 kilo-
watt hours, 10; next 100 kilowatt
hours, 8; next 100 kilowatt hours. s.
Next 100 kilowatt hours, I; next
100 hlowatt hours, 6; all over 7OOI
kilowatt hours, 5.
Subject TO a prompt payment dis
count of 10 per cent if paid within 1OI
days after the date of billing.
Minimum bill, 81 per month, not
subject to discount.
The following residence rates in
cents per month were in effect inl
communities outside of Baekr:
First % kilowatt hours, Is; next
25 kilowatt hours, 12; next 25 kilo-
watt hours, IL; minimum charge, 81
per month.
Commercial applying when 100 orl
more kilowatt hours are used in one
month by any customer for lighting.
First Kilowatt hours, s; next 200I
kilowatt hours. 6; next 200 kilowatt
hours, 5; all over 500 kilowatt hours,
4. Minimum charge $40 per month.
Other Reductions Vary.
The reduction in the rates at La
Grande is approximately 25 per cent
and outside of the very large con-
there will be a fair reduction
for patrons in communities outside ofI
La Grande and Baker.
This reduction varies. as under the
Did system the rates were based on
Of 25 kilowatt hours. the
maximum charge being IS cents,
while under the new schedule thel
rates are based on 100 kilowatt
hours. The maximum reduction it isl
figured, will be 20 per cent.
The commission finds that the
present rate of Baker yields fair
return for the service performed and
that the service performed at La
Grande is substantially the same as
At Baker.
The commission finds that the cost
Of serving the smaller communities Is
approximately 25 per cent higher
than the cost Of service in Baker and
La Grande
The commission finds the value of
property of use and useful in the pub
lie service Of the company to be as
Electric utility property, $1,020,-
300; gas utility property, $4,000; to-
tai S1.047.500.
In addition to this working capital
% the amount Of $20, 900 for the cleo
ric utility and $1,000 for the gas utll-
ty is found to be necessary, either
ash or credit.
In the valuation above no value Is |
given for water rights for the por-
ion Of the water power existing
within the boundaries Of the national
crest reserve.
in other words this commission
viii not capitalize the bounty of the
lation for the benefit of the indiyid-
lal.' says the order
The commission finds that rates
'ther than the residence and om-
nercial lighting rates are not exces-
I've.