The Kennewick courier-reporter. [volume] (Kennewick, Wash.) 1914-1938, 1922-12-14
Reductions to Become Eff
fective on Next Months
Meter Readings
AFFECTS MOST
ALL CUSTOMERS
Current Used Over Mini
mum to Cost 6.66 Cents
New Schedule

The Pacific Power & Light Com
announces that a substantial re-
duction has been made in it's rates
Ia residential lighting service.
The new rates are to become eff
fective on all meter readings TAX
en- on and after January 10, 1923
and viii result in material reduc-
ton Of monthly charges to most
customers. In announcing the
new rates, Mr.. Stafford, district
manager for the company at Ken,,
newick, made the following state
ment:
This reduction comes as a result
Of an exhaustive investigation
which the company has been carry
ing on for several months in an en-
Aeavor to find means of adjust
ing its residential rates so as to
permit customers to make more
liberal use of the service for light
ing purposes and for the operat-
ing Of household appliances with
out danger Of prohibitive bills.
Under the new rate probably 95
per cent Of our customers will en-
joy reduced yearly charges for
electric services in their homes and
the balance will consist Of custom
ers having limited consumption
where the cost of service does not
justify reductions. In the new
rates the monthly minimum charge
remain the same. The present
top rate is retained but a much
smaller number of K. w. II. The
rate Of 6.66c introduced for all
use over limited amount is much
lower than any rate available in
the old schedule. This very low
rate becomes effective at point
in the monthly consumtion which
win make it available to the aver
age customer for the use Of appli-
ances or for more and better light
Ing. He can obtain more service
Tor the money he has heretofore
paid and can obtain any amount Of
additional srvice at the low rate cf
6.66c per X. w. H.
The new rates reduce the COM
pany's revenue in the Yakima
Walla Walla territory about $50
oOo per year. At the pres mt
time the earnings of the company
from it's electrical business are no
more than sufficient to pay operat-
ing expenses, depreciation, taxes,
ana fair rate Of interest or re-
turn on the value of it's property.
as fixed by the department of pub
nc works. It is imperative that
this level Of earnings be maintain
ed II the credit of the company is |
TO be protected SO that it can can-
tlnue to borrow the large amounts
OF new capital required to keep |
pace With the growing demands
1or service in this territory.
Although the rates reduction
Ieh : being made will produce
iaree immediate drop in revenue,
'he company hopes that the custo-
mers will avail themselves of the
opportunity to use the service
more literally and that the in
creased sale of energy under the
!, lower rate will eventually restore
sne company's revenue to a reason
aOie basis. The present reduction
e'ompted largely by the belief
.nas II is sufficient to stimulate
increased use Of service.
.e facific Company has now
Deen doing business in this terri
y soay ior about 12 years. Starting
.. WIN = number of isolated and rela-
=, ~ small plants it has gradual
;. Dun. up comprehensive inter-
.ee'ed 80. system Of generating
anu transmission facilities which
y ~ guarantee continuous
and !, adequate service at all parts
e territory, and which is of a
pail'y .sy and flexibility readily
,.a .u 70 meet economically, the
a. su oi business in any part Of
'e territory. Until 1920 the rates