Washington's attorney general announced September 29 that it filed an amicus brief opposing Bonneville Power Administration changes to the Residential Exchange Program. The program helps reduce rates for customers of privately owned utilities. The dispute concerns how benefits are calculated, not a newly approved universal surcharge.
The office says more than 1.5 million Washingtonians receive service from Avista, PacifiCorp and Puget Sound Energy and could face higher bills if program benefits shrink. It estimates the proposal could add as much as 4%, while saying the exact increase will not be known until 2028. That potential impact is the litigant's account, not a final rate order.
The release also mentions separate proposed rate increases by PSE and Avista. Those proposals should not be added mechanically to the possible BPA impact or treated as already authorized. Different proceedings, periods and billing bases can produce different outcomes.
Check the utility and rate notice on your own bill and follow the relevant public proceeding rather than assume a statewide headline is your next renewal. The brief is an affordability challenge, not a refund program. Customers should not stop paying an existing bill because the attorney general opposes a future formula change.