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Juneau's hydroelectric power has been restored. The city is no longer running on costly diesel.

Alaska Electric Light & Power Co. spokesman Scott Willis said the power was back online at 9:17 p.m. Sunday.

That's on the early side of last week's estimate from the utility company that the line would be repaired early to midweek this week, and much earlier than the company's original late-July estimate.

The city has run on diesel since April 16, when avalanches destroyed the transmission line from the Snettisham hydroelectric project, which ordinarily supplies most of Juneau's energy.

Finishing early means electric customers will pay for just under $9 million in diesel instead of the $25 million AEL&P estimated in the first days after the avalanches, or the $18 million the utility estimated after Juneau customers began conserving electricity in spades. In the week before the avalanches, Juneau's energy use averaged 984 megawatt-hours per day, with some days over 1,000. The last week of diesel usage, it averaged 585 megawatt-hours, a drop of 41 percent.

But many people will want to keep their lights off for the time being. High electric rates covering the cost of the diesel that's been powering the city will stand until the rate is recalculated.

Willis said the utility is waiting for final invoices from diesel suppliers and will submit a new rate to the Regulatory Commission of Alaska before June 16.

For now, he estimated the new residential rate would be around 15 cents per kilowatt-hour. That's the usual summer rate of 8 cents plus a 7-cent cost of power adjustment for the diesel. Businesses' electric rates are more variable because they contain a demand component, but their cost of power adjustment will be the same.

"Everyone will get one bill at 52 cents, and one bill at 15 cents, and then we'll be back to normal," Willis said.

"It's really good news," he said. "We're very grateful to the community for all they've done with conservation. And don't stop until you know you're done with it."

That's because depending on when your meter is read, you may still be using 52-cent electricity.

AEL&P's billing cycles and meter-readings are staggered throughout the month. Some people's meters were read April 16, and therefore started paying the 52-cent rate one day after the avalanches. Those people are now using less costly electricity.

But the meters of some customers - about half of Juneau at this date - haven't been read yet. They are still paying the 52-cent rate. Willis said those people should still aggressively conserve electricity.

People can examine their bills to see when their meters are read, or learn more at aelp.com.

All of Juneau will be free from the 52-cent rate by June 15.

• Contact reporter Kate Golden at 523-2276 or e-mail kate.golden@juneauempire.com.