FAQs

• Who do I contact about...

  Our "who to contact" page is a great place to start if your unsure who you need to get in touch with.
  Who To Contact

• Are the summer electric rates different than the winter rates?

  For most of our customers your electric rate will not change during the year. If you are a commercial customer who is billed under our Large General Service rate you will notice a different rate for a portion of the year. Our current electric rates can be found here: Electric Rates

• Does KPUD offer rebates for upgrades to heating/cooling systems?

  Yes we have rebate programs for a wide variety of heating and weatherization options. More information on our rebate offerings can be found here: Rebates

  If you would like additional information please contact Anita Clever at 509-773-7622

• Are there programs available to help seniors and others manage their monthly bill?

  Yes there are several programs offered in the local area that may be able to offer you assistance when needed. We seek to stay informed of these programs and can provide you with a list of options we are aware of. Two of the more common programs used by our customers include:

  • Low income seniors, 62 and over, may apply annually for the senior discount at Klickitat County Senior Services.  Qualified seniors receive between and 5% and 35% off their winter bills. For more information about this program you can contact them directly at 800-447-7858.
  • All customers are welcome to apply for the budget payment plan.  Klickitat PUD averages your annual use to help you better budget your monthly income.

• Why do I pay a basic fee each month?

  KPUD collects its revenues for electric energy delivered to customers in two forms: the energy charge and the basic fee. The energy charge is based upon the amount of energy used. The basic fee is charged because KPUD is required to maintain the line, read meters, pay for operating costs, and make energy available to customers no matter how much or how little they use. This is similar to a fixed cost in another business. It is this component of our cost that is partially being recovered by the basic fee. Another portion of these costs is included in the energy component of our current rates.

• Why are my electric bills so high during the winter heating months even though I make great efforts to conserve?

  Making comparisons are difficult because everyone uses electricity differently. But comparisons aside, the cost of heating your home increases as the outside temperature in winter drops. The extent that this affects your electric bill depends on your life style and how energy efficient your home was built: i.e., insulation values of walls, ceilings, floors, doors, windows, skylights; type of heating system; amount of air infiltration; solar orientation; and floor space or volume of your home. For more information, please call the Customer Service Department at 509-773-5891 or 509-493-2255.

• What access to my property must I provide to PUD employees?

  By law, if the PUD provides electric service to you, the utility then has the right to enter your property to read and/or maintain its metering equipment without your permission. You are responsible for providing clear unobstructed access to PUD equipment for the installation, maintenance and removal of its property.

• Why is my neighbor’s electric bill lower than mine?

  Even if your home may appear identical to your neighbors, houses often vary in terms of insulation values, heating and cooling needs, the condition of the home and appliances, insulation levels and the temperature settings of the heat and water heater. Your bill reflects the amount of electricity you use and represent the unique needs of your family.

• How likely is it that the issue with my bill is related to a faulty meter?

  It is very unlikely that the problem that you are experiencing is a problem with your meter, it is more likely to slow down than to speed up. It is very rare for a meter to register more usage than what is actually being used. Meters can sometimes stop, however. If you know that you are using power and your statement shows no kilowatt hour usage for the period, your meter may be stopped. Remember that unbilled usage will not go away. If your meter is stopped, we may estimate past months’ billing. To ensure accurate billing, please let us know as soon as you are aware that you have a stopped meter.

• If a representative of the PUD comes to my residence to disconnect my electrical service, may I pay the representative the amount owing on my bill and avoid the disconnect?

  Yes we are always willing to work with our customers to avoid the disconnection of your service. If you are able to pay at the time of disconnection we can accept your payment with the addition of a $30 collection charge.

• If my electric service has been disconnected, when will service be restored?

  Electric service will be restored when the cause for the disconnect has been removed and when payment of all appropriate charges, including any deposit due from you, has been made.

  There are fees to turn electrical service back on if it was disconnected due to non-payment:

  •  $30 for standard meter re-connections during normal service hours (8 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays), $40 for non-standard re-connections during normal service hours.

  •  $70 for standard meter re-connections outside of normal service hours (4:30 p.m. - 9:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, except holidays), $80 for non-standard re-connections.

  • The fee for re-connections made from 9:00 p.m. - 8 a.m. is $200. 

   

• Why does electrical power go out, when the telephone is seldom out?

  An electric power line is constructed differently than a phone line. The power line is bare wire, while the phone line is a bundle of small wires contained within a plastic jacket. As a result, if a tree falls into a power line, it shorts out the line and either causes the circuit breaker to trip back at the substation or blows a fuse down the block. Either way, the power goes out. Meanwhile, if the tree falls into a phone or TV cable, the signals carried by the wires within the cable can continue to flow.

• Is there a way to hook up an emergency generator when the lights go out?

  A portable generator is an optional source of electricity during a power outage. However, a generator can cause serious injury or death if not connected and used properly. Use appliances that directly plug into the generator. If the generator is connected to the electric panel, a transfer switch and state electrical inspection are required. Otherwise, the generator can backfeed into the utility electric system, energizing supposedly dead wires and creating a deadly danger to lineman working to restore power.

• What is a Temporary Service installation?

  A Temporary Service installation or Temporary Meterbase is a meterbase that will not be used for a permanent residence. This meterbase is typically used for RV services, well services, or other non-residential uses. They can also be used for construction purposes as well.

• What are the typical Amperage Ratings for a Meter Base?

  The most common meter bases that we work with are 200 amp and 400 amp. These two sizes fit most installation needs, however at times there are exceptions. If you feel you may need to install a larger service, please contact us at 509-773-5891 with your installation needs and we will discuss your requirements.  

• How do I choose between Overhead and Underground service installation?

  The customer may choose Overhead or Underground for their installation unless the primary lines (PUD main lines) in the area are already underground, then the only choice is underground. In the city limits of White Salmon and Bingen a new service must be installed underground. Some new developments do have community requirements, so you will need to check those requirements as well prior to requesting your installation.

• What information is required for an Easement?

  KPUD requires that you provide a copy of your deed or title report in order for us to prepare the Easement documents for your new installation. The deed provides us with the full legal description of your property, the legal owners names and your parcel number. These are all of the items required to draft a legal easement document.

• How do I pay my bill or submit my meter read online?

  We encourage our customers to pay their monthly KPUD bill or submit their meter reading by using our online payment system. This allows you to have 24/7 access to your account information at the times that are most convenient for you. Basic instructions for navigating the online payment system can by found by clicking here. 

  If you require additional assistance please contact any of our offices during normal business hours and we would be happy to help you.