Bpa Proposes Exit Fees For Utilities

The Bonneville Power Administration wants to make it more difficult for utilities to leave it for other electricity suppliers.

It is proposing exit fees and line transmission charges for utilities that buy power elsewhere.

The charges are included in a new rate proposal BPA unveiled in hopes of keeping its current customers and competing with utilities that offer cheaper electricity rates.

The exit fee would be an extra charge utilities would pay to get out of their contracts with BPA.

Fee revenues would be used to help pay the costs of regional fish enhancement programs and a $7 billion debt the federal power marketing agency inherited by backing Washington Public Power Supply System bonds.