New Federal Spill Surcharge Begins July 1, 2026

We want to keep you informed about an upcoming change to your electric bill beginning on July 1, 2026.

The Bonneville Power Administration (BPA) has added a Financial Reserves Policy (FRP) surcharge to Inland's power bill. This is mainly due to three years of lower-than-average water levels, along with higher costs to purchase power. Inland Power’s portion of this is about $715,000.

There’s also a second surcharge tied to a federal court order that requires more water to be spilled over dams. While this helps meet important environmental goals, it also reduces how much electricity BPA can generate. Because of this, BPA is recovering $125 million in costs, and Inland Power’s share is expected to be more than $2 million each year while this requirement is in place.

Starting July 1, 2026, you will see a new line on your bill called Federal Mandated Spill Surcharge, which will be around 4%. This charge will stay in place as long as the federal requirement continues.

We know changes like this aren’t always easy, and we’re here to help answer any questions you may have. Thanks for your understanding as we navigate these changes together.

If you have additional questions, please visit our FAQ page at inlandpower.com/federal-spill-surcharge.