A recent change in the way the Okanogan County PUD charges its customers is causing administrators of public entities such as parks, community areas and even schools to reevaluate the way they use outdoor lighting.

For instance, the Pateros School District is faced with the possibility of rescheduling sporting events to daylight hours, installing new energy efficient fixtures or paying a hefty fee to the utility district.

According to the Okanogan PUD’s website, the goal of the rate change adopted last summer is to develop rates that promote revenue stability and equitable rates among classes of customers, make the rates easy to understand, and promote the efficient use of electricity.