The Northwest Power Act of 1980 created the Residential Exchange Program (REP), administered by the Bonneville Power Administration (BPA). The intent of this program is to provide residential and small farm customers of Pacific Northwest utilities with access to low-cost federal power. BPA’s REP allows participating utilities, like Snohomish PUD, to pass the financial benefits of the low cost federal Columbia River Power System on to certain eligible customers, through a BPA REP benefit or credit. This credit appears on certain PUD customers’ monthly power bills.  

If you are a PUD customer on the Schedule 7 Residential Rate Schedule and have lived at your address since October 1, 2015, you have likely received the BPA Residential Exchange Program benefit. You can also check your monthly PUD statement. At the top of the statement, the PUD notes a BPA REP rate credit. 

No. The BPA Residential Exchange Program rate credit is separate and different from the PUD’s Income-Qualified Assistance Program and has different eligibility requirements.  

The BPA REP rate credit is allocated to the customers under the PUD Schedule 7 Residential Rate and, as of October 1, 2019, is currently $.00073 per kilowatt hour.

The PUD has received REP benefits for its eligible customers on the Schedule 7 Residential Rate since October 1, 2009. BPA conducts a review every two years, and beginning October 1, 2017, BPA has deemed the PUD eligible to continue participating in the REP. At this time REP benefits will run through September 30, 2021, and are at $.00073 per kilowatt-hour for residential customers. 

BPA establishes customer eligibility guidelines for the Residential Exchange Program. Every few years, BPA requests the PUD to formally verify that customers are still eligible to receive REP benefits for the meter(s) listed under their PUD account.

BPA’s customer eligibility guidelines are posted on its website (click here to view). You may also contact us with questions at 425-783-8096 during business hours.