Low runoff could mean BPA rate hike

The fifth lowest runoff since construction of Snake and Columbia river dams could result in higher power rates for those dependent on hydroelectricity, officials with the Bonnevile Power Administration warned last Friday.

If those rates rise, the increase will not hit local power bills until Oct. 1, 2011 at the earliest, according to Fred Rettenmund, power resources manager for Inland Power and Light.

“This low snowpack will definitely put a lot of upward pressure on our rates in the future,” said Rettenmund. “But there’s still a long way to go in the process as far as how this will play out i...