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Ruston council approves two-step electricity rate increase to cover Tacoma cost hikes
Summary
The City of Ruston adopted Ordinance No. 1589, raising consumption kWh rates by 6.5% in 2025 and again in 2026 and increasing fixed monthly charges, to reimburse higher costs charged by the City of Tacoma; the measure passed 5-0 and takes effect March 21, 2025 (first step).
The City of Ruston City Council on Jan. 21 approved Ordinance No. 1589 to increase electric utility rates in two steps to reflect higher charges from the City of Tacoma. The council voted 5-0 to raise consumption rates by 6.5% effective March 21, 2025, and by another 6.5% on March 21, 2026; it also approved a fixed-rate increase that matches Tacoma’s approximately 12% fixed-rate increase scheduled for April 2025.
Under the ordinance, regular consumption rates will move from $0.1157 per kWh to $0.1232 on March 21, 2025 and to $0.1312 on March 21, 2026. The low-income/disabled consumption rate will rise from $0.0795 to $0.0847 and then to $0.0902. Monthly minimum charges will increase for regular accounts from $24.25 to $27.16 and for low-income/disabled accounts from $19.74 to $22.11. Mayor Hopkins noted the city last raised rates in March 2023 by Ordinance No. 1566; Councilmember Jensen emphasized Ruston’s dependence on Tacoma for wholesale power and said that until an alternative supply is found the council had little discretion but to pass along the increases.
Council approved the ordinance without amendment. The council record states the increases are intended to allow the utility to recover higher purchase costs from Tacoma Power, replenish reserves, and fund infrastructure replacement and upkeep. The first step of the rate change takes effect March 21, 2025; the second step takes effect March 21, 2026.
