In 2009, the monthly electric base charge was $8.45. Today, it's $60. That's an increase of over 610%, or 12% per year, before a single light is turned on or any appliance is plugged in. This far outpaces any inflation. Families are paying hundreds more dollars each year just to stay connected to the grid. How did we get here and what can we do about it? We need to know the truth.

Our neighbors face many of the same challenges we do: rural service territory, aging infrastructure, and maintaining reliable power. Yet Skamania ratepayers pay more than twice the monthly base charge - in fact, it's the highest in the entire state of Washington! If other rural utilities can keep costs lower, it's reasonable to ask why ours has become the highest around.

The increase from $8.45 to $60 per month adds up to about $619 more every year for a typical household, without using any more power at all. That's money that could be spent on groceries, gas, rent, savings, retirement, or education. When costs rise this dramatically, we need to demand transparency, accountability, and a plan to control future increases.

Families don't get to spend money first and figure out how to pay for it later. The PUD shouldn't either. Before asking ratepayers to fund major projects, take on debt, or approve large expenses, we need a clear public explanation of the costs, benefits, and long-term impact on utility bills. Every dollar should have a purpose, and every decision should be able to survive public scrunity.

Over the last several years, ratepayers have faced repeated increases while household budgets have grown tighter. I believe leadership starts with setting an example. Until we get utility costs under control and restore public confidence, I will oppose any commissioner compensation increase and focus on the financial challenges facing the people who actually pay the bills.

Your utility bill shouldn't be a mystery. Ratepayers deserve clear, jargon-free information about whee their money is going, what projects are being planned, and how those decisions will affect future rates. I support the Ratepayer Report Card: plain-language financial reporting, directly on your billing statement, so the public can see what's happening before decisions are made, not after.