Puget Sound Energy has asked state regulators to approve changes to its pilot conservation program in a way that means less savings for customers as wholesale power prices drop.

Currently, customers who reduce their consumption at least 10 percent per month compared to the same month last year receive a 5-cent credit for each additional kilowatt-hour saved.

The state Utilities and Transportation Commission approved the program in May in response to a growing regional energy crisis triggered by short supplies, a drought and bloated wholesale power costs.

Puget Sound Energy serves most of Jefferson County, but no Jefferson customers are included in the money-saving program at this time.

Nearly 250,000 PSE customers in other areas collectively saved more than $3 million on their electric bills through June, company spokesman Grant Ringel said.

“The response has been remarkable,”‘ he said.

However, he said, the company wants to tie the conservation program directly to the wholesale power market, which has seen prices drop dramatically in recent weeks.

Full details appear in today’s edition of the Peninsula Daily News. Click onto “Subscribe” to have your PDN delivered to your home or office.