The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1920-04-01
LIGHT AND
WATER RATES :.
TO GO HIGHER
P.P.& L. Company Gives Notice
of Increase of Ia to 20 per NJ
.a.> Cent for Electricity
SAME IRRIGATION RATE
Proposed Advance Halted by State
Commission Upon Protest of
49, City of Yakima

If the state public service commits
sion grants the request of the Pacific
Power & Light company, all Kenne-
wick residents who use electric light
and city water will soon be paying
more for both.
Several days ago the company fled
a new schedule of lighting and in
dustrial power tariffs with the COM
mission and last Monday filed another
schedule giving notice of increasing
the water rates in Kennewick and
Pasco. The rises in the electric rates
are to apply to all towns served by the
p. p. & l.. company in. this state. The
new rates were to have become effect
i've April Goth but the schedule has
been suspended upon the protests of
the city of Yakima and the company
has been requested to set date for
hearing.
The new water schedule has not
yet been received here but w. M.
Woods, assistant general manager,
has provided the local Office with a
copy of the proposed electric rates.
"We are asking for an increase in
all electric rates now in effect in the
state of Washington except irrigation
power rates, which remain unchang-
ed" writes Mr.. Woods from his head
quarters at Portland. "The increases
affect all communities served by this
company. -
"The increase in lighting rates will
approximate 2 cents per kilowatt
hour, ranging from Ia to 20 per cent
for the average users. The increase
in industrial power rates will average
about 10 per cent.
Seas rates must also be raised to
meet existing operating conditions.
This increase will be approximately
% per cent. This company can no
longer continue to give service and
attract new capital to keep pace with
the development of the Yakima ter
ritory while operating on the old price
levels. In face Of price increases for
every other commodity we are in hopes
that, when the public realizes how
small the increase is compared with
the increase in prices generally, it
will see the justice of our request and
realize the necessity for relief"
Following are the proposed new
rates, in comparison with the old rates
for the different schedules:
Residence lighting, meter-First 80
XVIII. per month 1888 cents per kwh.,
instead of ILL; in excess of 80 XVIII,
I'LL instead Of 8.8S cents. Minimum
raised from rs cents to 81 per month.
Usual ten per cent discount, which
practically all customers take ad-
vantage of.
Commercial lighting, meter-First
60 XVIII, connected load per month
1888 cents, compared with ILL. Next
60 kwh., 8.88 cents, all over 120 XVIII,
4.44. Minimum So, the same.
Industrial power-20 hour service,
fixed charge per horsepower, $1.50 in
stead of $1.25. The schedule of rates
is about 10 per cent higher than the
old.
Rural domestic light and power
meter rate-First 80 XVIII, per month,
1911, as compared with 1913; in ex-
cess of 80 XVIII, 1885, instead of S.SS.
Minimum charge the same. Usual 10
per cent discount.
Cooking power, cooking and baking
ranges-No change in rate, except 10
per cent discount eliminated. Minim-
um raised from 81 to So. Water heat
ers the same.
Mayor Tweedt said today that the
proposed increase has not as yet been
considered by the city council and he
was unable to say whether or not Ken
newick would join with Yakima in its
protest and no action could be taken
on the water proposition until a copy
Of the new schedule is received.