It’s time to talk rates.

I know, never a fun discussion. If you’ve been watching the news, you know that Longmont Power & Communications has asked for a rate adjustment in 2023, on top of the one the Council approved last year: a new total that, for residential customers, comes out on average to an additional $3.43 per month. What you might not have heard a lot about is why. So here goes.

Part of it’s something we all know too well: inflation. Things cost a lot more than we were expecting them to in late 2021: labor, materials, everything. To keep up with those rising costs – and to keep up and improve the reliable electrical system you count on so much – we need to bring in a little more. (The wastewater utility has a similar experience, along with a bunch of expected new EPA regulations and the need for a new digester, which is why it’s asking for a rate change, too.)

The other part is tied up with an opportunity.

Every so often in this space, I’ve mentioned Longmont’s goal of achieving 100% renewable electricity by 2030. That’s a goal shared by Platte River Power Authority – the wholesale energy provider we co-own – and all the other Platte River communities.

Platte River saw an opportunity to get some of that renewable energy earlier than it originally planned. That means it’s not trying to ramp up everything right before the 2030 deadline, but to hit a steadier pace in its transition. That’s generally a good idea … no one enjoys having to do all their homework right before it’s due.

But investing sooner also means paying sooner. And so, their costs – and by necessity, ours – have to go up more quickly than originally planned.

We’ve put a lot of these basics on our Rate Change page.  That’s also where we’ve put some opportunities for help. We’re asking to increase the amount of assistance that Longmont CAReS  gives with utility bills, for instance (including its first-ever wastewater assistance). And as always, Efficiency Works can help bring down your energy use and some of the cost with it.

As always, it’s all about you. That’s why we’re doing everything we can to help. And why we’ll always be up front with you about things like this.

You deserve the best we can give. And that’s our pledge to you.

Always.