Cooperative seeks 18 percent rate boost

Kootenai Electric Cooperative is proposing an average rate increase of 18 percent for its 21,000 business and residential accounts in North Idaho.

Members of the nonprofit electricity cooperative have enjoyed relatively inexpensive power in recent years thanks to a five-year fixed contract between the cooperative and the Bonneville Power Administration, said Erika Neff, spokeswoman for the cooperative.

The contract saved members an estimated $15 million but is set to expire in October, thrusting the cooperative back into the turbulent wholesale electricity market. BPA’s new price for electricity will be 40 percent higher, Neff said, but this wholesale power cost only accounts for about half of the total cost of supplying power. The rest comes from operations, maintenance and construction, Neff said.

For a typical residential member, the increase will mean an extra $12.70 a month. The cooperative is also planning to switch to a flat 6.2 cents per kilowatt-hour charge.

Kootenai Electric Cooperative serves about 21,000 customers in North Idaho and Eastern Washington in parts of Kootenai, Benewah, Bonner and Spokane counties.

Kootenai Electric is accepting comments on the proposal through May 22. The board of directors is expected to make a decision on the price increase in June. Comments should be mailed to KEC Member Comments, PO Box 278, Hayden ID 83835-0278 or e-mailed to kec@kec.com.

– James Hagengruber

Kootenai County

Congress hopefuls to attend forum

Nearly all the Republican candidates for North Idaho’s open congressional seat will attend a forum tonight at the Mica Flats Grange south of Coeur d’Alene.

The forum will also include candidates for the two Kootenai County commission seats on the May 23 primary ballot. The public is encouraged to ask questions.

Eleven candidates are vying to fill U.S. Rep. Butch Otter’s congressional seat; Otter is running for governor. Republican candidates who plan to attend the event are Skip Brandt, of Kooskia; Keith Johnson, of Boise; Bill Sali, of Kuna; Sheila Sorensen, of Boise; and Robert Vasquez, of Caldwell. Norm Semanko, R-Eagle, is unable to attend but a representative will read a statement.

Democratic candidate Cecil Kelly, of Coeur d’Alene, will attend, but challenger Larry Grant, of Fruitland, won’t. Independent candidate Dave Olson, of St. Maries, is expected. Third party candidates in the race include Constitution Party candidate Paul Smith, of Letha, and Natural Law candidate Andy Hedden-Nicely, of Boise. Neither candidate is expected.

All five county commission candidates plan to attend. Post Falls City Councilman Todd Tondee is challenging commission Chairman Gus Johnson. Independent candidate Tom Macy also is in the race. Commissioner Katie Brodie is facing former county employee Rich Piazza.

The 7 p.m. forum is at the Mica Flats Grange, 7465 Kidd Island Road, near U.S. Highway 95. Information: Joy at (208) 667-4863.

– Erica Curless