Commission allocates surplus 2020 funds to electric bill credit
VANCOUVER – The Clark Public Utilities Board of Commissioners approved allocation of $20 million in 2020 surplus funds to customers in the form of a bill credit, and $5 million to assist customers facing financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The $20 million in bill credits will be distributed proportionately to customer accounts in early April, based on a percentage of electric usage from March 2020 – February 2021. Customers participating in the EqualPay and Guarantee of Service Programs will see the credit applied to the account balance.
“After what has been a very difficult and challenging year for so many of our customers, we’re pleased to be in a position to credit surplus funds and provide additional assistance to those who’ve been adversely affected by the pandemic,” said Commissioner Jim Malinowski, Clark Public Utilities board president. “Customers who would like to help local families in financial crisis and donate their credit to Operation Warm Heart will have an easy way to do that online.”
The commission also set aside $5 million to assist limited-income customers and those who’ve experienced significant financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Specific eligibility and distribution information of those funds is being determined.
As a customer-owned utility, Clark Public Utilities is nonprofit and focuses its operations in its customers’ best interests to ensure reliability, increase affordability and maintain customer service. The annual budget is based on conservative estimates of all operational variables to keep rates stable and predictable. When a surplus results, the board determines allocation. Rates haven’t changed since 2011.
Customers who would like to donate the credit amount to Operation Warm Heart, the utility’s donor-funded assistance program to help families in financial crisis pay heating bills, can do so after the credit has posted in April. Options include online through My Account, calling customer service at (360) 992-3000, or using the online donation form (https://myaccount.clarkpublicutilities.com/owh).
More information can be found at (360) 992-3000 or www.clarkpublicutilities.com.
