Pacific Northwest To See Power Relief

Electrical power customers in the Pacific Northwest were elated to be getting lower power rates in a time of power supply uncertainty.

Bonneville Power Administration announced it will reduce its wholesale power rates by 7.5 percent.

In notice sent to its customers, BPA Administrator Steve Wright attributed the cost reductions, in part, to cost cutting by BPA, the Corps of Engineers, The Bureau of Reclamation, and Northwest Power and Conservation Council.

Wright said the agency will continue to pursue further cost reductions.

Power rates peaked during the three years of 2002-2004. The reduction will bring rates (in 2000 dollars) below the previous one-year high in 1984.