Chapter 14.24
ELECTRIC RATES AND CHARGES
Sections:
14.24.020 Termination of contract by customer.
14.24.030 Service charges – Temporary service.
14.24.035 Service charges – Permanent or altered service.
14.24.050 Nonstandard service.
14.24.060 Retail electrical rates.
14.24.070 Character of certain special uses.
14.24.100 Special rules if premises used for both residential and commercial purposes.
14.24.140 De minimis unmetered loads.
14.24.150 School and municipal building rate.
14.24.180 Athletic field floodlighting.
14.24.190 Special charges and billing rules.
14.24.210 Renewable energy system incentive.
14.24.020 Termination of contract by customer.
A customer who has fulfilled his contract terms and wishes to discontinue service must give at least three days’ notice to that effect, unless his contract specifies otherwise. Notice to discontinue service prior to expiration of the contract term will not relieve the customer from any minimum or guaranteed payment required by the contract or rate. [Ord. 90 § 6.02; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.030 Service charges – Temporary service.
Customers requiring temporary electrical service, at premises where electric utility facilities are available, shall pay to the department an amount equal to the estimated cost of all labor, equipment and all nonrecoverable materials required to install and remove the temporary service, less the estimated salvage value. In cases where temporary service can be provided from an existing power source using light duty service wire the charge shall not be less than the temporary service fee published in the city’s user fees and charges schedule. Where electric utility facilities are not adequate or available to provide temporary electrical service, the department will extend service in accordance with the policies in Chapter 14.30 RMC.
The rate for electricity used from the temporary service shall be at the rate schedule applicable to the class of service. At the discretion of the chief electrical engineer, unmetered temporary services will be allowed when the service provides temporary construction power to a single-family dwelling lot and the term of the service is less than three months. In the event an unmetered temporary service extends beyond three months the customer shall pay an additional three-month temporary service fee for each three-month period beyond the initial three-month term. [Ord. 296; Ord. 74-74 § 1.02; Ord. 30-75 § 1.01; Ord. 18-77 § 1.12; Ord. 23-78 § 1.01; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 37-07; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.035 Service charges – Permanent or altered service.
Customers requiring permanent electrical service rated at 600 volts or less, at premises where electric utility facilities are available at the property, shall pay to the department an amount equal to the estimated cost of all labor, equipment and materials, including metering, required to install the service. In cases where permanent services are of a capacity of 400 amps or less the charge shall not be less than the new service charges published in the city’s user fees and charges schedule. The charge assumes the department shall install up to 100 feet of service wire, as measured on the premises. Any additional service wire over 100 feet shall be charged at the estimated cost of additional wire.
Customers requiring alteration of existing electric utility facilities, including but not limited to rewires, relocations, conversions or upgrades, shall pay the department an amount equal to the estimated cost of all labor, equipment and materials, including metering, required to alter the utility facilities serving such services.
Where electric utility facilities are not adequate or available to provide permanent service or accommodate the required customer service alterations the department will extend service in accordance with the policies of Chapter 14.30 RMC. [Ord. 37-07; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.040 Trouble calls.
The customer shall notify the department immediately should service be unsatisfactory for any reason or should there be any defects, trouble or accidents affecting the supply of electricity.
The department will be responsible for promptly making repairs to damage occurring to city equipment, which impairs service to its customers or results in a hazardous condition. When a trouble call is made at a customer’s request, and the trouble is due to the customer’s acts, negligence, or to failure of his equipment or wiring, the minimum charge shall be actual cost, plus overhead costs. Billing costs shall be as determined by the chief electrical engineer. [Ord. 90 § 6.04; Ord. 74-74 § 1.03; Ord. 18-77 § 1.13; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2022-32 § 3; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.050 Nonstandard service.
Customers shall pay the cost of any special installation necessary to meet particular requirements for service at other than standard voltages or for the supply of closer voltage regulation than required by standard practice.
When it is necessary to construct additional lines and install facilities for furnishing three-phase service or a nonstandard voltage or phase, the service will be provided in accordance with the policies of Chapter 14.30 RMC. [Ord. 90 § 6.05; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 37-07; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.060 Retail electrical rates.
Rates for electricity are summarized by class of service as listed below. Rates are effective with the first bill received in June 2019 and apply to all usage during the billing period.
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A. |
Availability: In all territory serviced by the city’s electrical utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To domestic uses of electric energy by all residential customers not eligible under other rate schedules. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Delivery Point: The following rates are based upon the supply of service to the entire premises through a single delivery and metering point. Separate supply for the same customer at other points of consumption shall be separately metered and billed. |
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E. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
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Single-phase service: |
$0.69/day |
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Multiphase service: |
$0.98/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0741/kWh |
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F. |
Per Chapter 3.29 RMC, a discount shall be applied to the residential rates specified in this section for qualifying low-income citizens. |
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A. |
Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To all nonresidential uses supplied through a single meter where anticipated monthly maximum demand does not exceed 50 kilowatts and the load is not eligible under other rate schedules. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
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Single-phase service: |
$0.86/day |
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Multiphase service: |
$1.16/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0667/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
No Charge |
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A. |
Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To all nonresidential uses supplied through a single meter, where anticipated monthly maximum demand is greater than 50 kilowatts, but less than or equal to 300 kilowatts, and the load is not eligible under other rate schedules. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
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Single-phase service: |
$1.38/day |
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Multiphase service: |
$1.66/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0428/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
$5.17/kW |
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A. |
Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To all nonresidential uses supplied through a single meter, where anticipated monthly maximum demand is greater than 300 kilowatts, but less than or equal to 1,000 kilowatts, and the load is not eligible under other rate schedules. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
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Multiphase service: |
$2.01/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0428/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
$5.58/kW |
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A. |
Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To all nonresidential uses supplied through a single meter where anticipated monthly maximum demand is greater than 1,000 kilowatts but less than or equal to 5,000 kilowatts and the load is not eligible under other rate schedules. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
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Multiphase service: |
$8.34/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0428/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
$5.92/kW |
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A. |
Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To all nonresidential uses supplied through a single meter where anticipated monthly maximum demand is greater than 5,000 kilowatts and the load is not eligible for service under other rate schedules. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
$8.34/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0423/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
$5.52/kW |
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Terms and conditions of negotiated rate will be by contract. |
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B. |
Will be based upon the benefits derived from the new load and/or employment opportunities that expand the local economy. |
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Will utilize marginal costing concept. |
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Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To uses of electrical power on a continuous basis for seasonal agricultural irrigation pumping or agricultural drainage pumping. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0650/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
No Charge |
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Annual Service Charge: |
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To be billed at beginning of irrigation season. |
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(1) $194.10 single-phase service. |
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(2) $258.80 multiphase service. |
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A. |
Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To uses of electrical power on a continuous basis for seasonal agricultural irrigation pumping or agricultural drainage pumping. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0428/kWh |
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Billing Demand Charge: |
$7.30/kW |
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Annual Service Charge: |
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To be billed at beginning of irrigation season. |
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$0.57/horsepower all horsepower greater than 60, plus: |
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(1) $194.10 single-phase service. |
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(2) $258.80 multiphase service. |
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Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To municipally owned traffic-regulating signal systems on public streets and highways. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Daily Service Charge: |
$0.69/day |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0653/kWh |
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Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To owners of cable television amplifiers or small cell installed on facilities owned by the city’s electric utility. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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D. |
Rates: |
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Energy Charge: |
$0.0667/kWh |
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Availability: In all territory served by the city’s electric utility. |
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B. |
Applicability: To new large single load customers defined in Public Law 96-501 and as such constitute electrical loads greater than or equal to 10 average megawatts during any consecutive 12-month period and which cause the utility to incur wholesale power costs in excess of normal rates. |
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C. |
Character of Service: Sixty hertz alternating current of such phase and voltage as the electric utility may have available. |
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Rates: Terms and conditions of negotiated rate will be by contract. |
[Ord. 90; Ord. 173; Ord. 74-74; Ord. 18-77; Ord. 47-78; Ord. 38-79; Ord. 75-80; Ord. 66-81; Ord. 55-82; Ord. 8-87; Ord. 19-87; Ord. 6-90; Ord. 43-91; Ord. 11-93; Ord. 43-93; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 31-96; Ord. 55-99; Ord. 15-02; Ord. 10-03; Ord. 16-03; Ord. 10-04; Ord. 31-12 § 1; Ord. 03-13 § 1; Ord. 04-15 § 1; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 35-17 § 1; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 19-19 § 1; Ord. 15-20 § 1; Ord. 2023-28 § 3; Ord. 2024-34 § 1].
14.24.070 Character of certain special uses.
Motors with individually rated capacities of more than seven and one-half horsepower must be served at commercial rates. Christmas or other temporary decorative residential lighting may be served at residential rates. Where additional facilities are required to serve decorative lighting, the distributor will charge the customer actual costs, including overhead costs, for the installation and removal of the facilities. [Ord. 90 § 6.07; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 14-94; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.100 Special rules if premises used for both residential and commercial purposes.
The residential rate is not applicable to any space in a residential dwelling which is regularly used for commercial purposes or for other gainful activities. In such cases, if a separately metered circuit is provided at no cost to the city for the commercial portion of the dwelling, the appropriate commercial rate shall be applied to the power requirements. If a separately metered circuit is not provided, the entire power requirements of the premises must be billed under the commercial rate.
If the premises are used primarily as a private dwelling and space in the dwelling is only occasionally used for commercial purposes, the residential rate shall be applied to the entire power requirements. [Ord. 90 § 6.10; Ord. 43-91; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.120 Street lighting.
For all municipally owned lighting systems for public streets, publicly owned parking areas, and parks, service shall be provided pursuant to the applicable street lighting rates published in the city’s user fees and charges schedule. Such service shall include maintenance of and replacement of lamps for overhead lighting systems of such areas. The provisions of this fee schedule shall not apply to rates for energy supplied under specific contracts negotiated for such purpose. [Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.130 Rental lighting.
For municipally owned legacy rental lighting facilities consisting of overhead construction with mast arms and luminaires mounted on poles, service shall be provided at the request of property owners or long-term lessees of property pursuant to the applicable rental lighting rates published in the city’s user fees and charges schedule. Lighting facilities supplied under this provision shall remain the property of the city and shall be supplied only pursuant to a contract with the customer, the term of which shall be a period of not less than three years. Current lighting practice is for new lighting to be owned and maintained by customer on customer property without city infrastructure or maintenance support. [Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2022-32 § 4; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.140 De minimis unmetered loads.
For loads determined by the chief electrical engineer to be of a de minimis nature, service shall, with the authorization of the director, be provided pursuant to the applicable de minimis unmetered loads rate published in the city’s user fees and charges schedule. [Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.150 School and municipal building rate.
There are no rate discounts for electricity supplied at schools or municipal buildings. [Ord. 90 § 6.15; Ord. 173; Ord. 74-74 § 1.07; Ord. 79-74 § 1.01; Ord. 55-75 § 1.01; Ord. 18-77 § 1.20; Ord. 43-91; Ord. 16-03; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.180 Athletic field floodlighting.
For athletic field lighting, an investment charge may be made based upon the city’s investment in furnishing and installing the equipment devoted to supplying the athletic field lighting service. Energy will be billed in accordance with the appropriate rate schedule and each installation will be considered a separate customer for billing purposes. Customers’ bills rendered in accordance with this provision shall be subject to any surcharge and amortization charge applied by the director. [Ord. 90 § 6.18; Ord. 173; Ord. 296; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 10-03; Ord. 16-03; Ord. 31-12 § 1; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.190 Special charges and billing rules.
Charges for energy supplied under the provisions of RMC 14.24.180 shall be computed as follows:
A. Energy. When the energy supplied is metered, the meter shall be installed in or connected to the lighting circuit and the billing shall include the energy delivered to and consumed in all circuits and equipment used exclusively for lighting purposes. When the energy supplied is not metered, the energy charge shall be computed from the lamp wattage plus five percent for losses, multiplied by the number of hours of use, multiplied by the applicable energy rate as determined by the chief electrical engineer.
B. Capital Investment Computation. The department’s capital investment costs, used as a basis for computing charges, shall consist of the cost of all labor, material and equipment, plus appropriate overhead costs, used to construct the lighting system.
C. Annual Operation and Maintenance Computation. The department’s annual operation and maintenance costs, used as a basis for computing charges, shall be eight percent of the capital investment cost and shall provide for all routine maintenance, including lamp replacement, performed on the lighting system.
D. Computation of Charges. Computation of monthly charges shall be one percent of the capital investment cost plus one-twelfth of the annual operation and maintenance cost plus the charge for energy consumed by the lighting system. [Ord. 90 § 6.19; Ord. 173; Ord. 38-79 § 1.12; Ord. 12-94; Ord. 39-15 § 4; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.200 Investment cost recovery incentive.
Repealed by Ord. 13-19. [Ord. 14-07; Ord. 14-12 § 2; Ord. 25-13 § 1.02; Ord. 39-15 § 4].
14.24.210 Renewable energy system incentive.
The department may offer a renewable energy system incentive program that shall be governed by RCW 82.16.160, 82.16.165, 82.16.170 and 82.16.175 and Chapter 504-49 WAC as written or hereafter amended.
Customers participating in the renewable energy system incentive program with systems approved and installed after November 1, 2018, shall be assessed a program and production meter fee as listed in the city fee schedule. [Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].
14.24.220 Net metering.
A net metering customer shall be billed according to the applicable retail electric rate in RMC 14.24.060. Each net metering customer shall be charged the daily service charge and the energy charge for all energy delivered to the customer from the utility for the applicable billing period. Each net metering customer shall be credited the energy charge for all real energy received by the utility from the net metering system. This shall occur until the earlier of June 30, 2029, or the first date the electric utility’s cumulative generating capacity of net metering systems equals four percent of the utility’s 1996 peak demand as specified in Chapter 80.60 RCW, at which time the customer shall be credited the avoided cost of energy per kWh. The electric utility’s 1996 peak demand was 204,768 kilowatts.
Any received real energy (kWh) accumulated from the customer as of March 31st each calendar year shall be granted to the utility without any compensation to the customer-generator.
Each net metering customer shall be assessed a net metering application fee as listed in the city fee schedule. [Ord. 13-19 § 2; Ord. 2022-32 § 5; Ord. 2023-28 § 3].