RSSDon't flip the switch lightly: Power rates are going up
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YAKIMA, Wash. -- Here's a shocker.
Electricity rates are going up again for Pacific Power customers in the Yakima Valley.
The state Utilities and Transportation Commission on Wednesday granted the Portland-based utility a 5.3 percent rate increase that goes into effect at the beginning of the year.
The increase, the third for Pacific Power in the last three years, will add $4.80 to the monthly bill of the average residential customer.
The typical household, using 1,300 kilowatt hours, will pay about $94 per month once the increase takes effect, the state agency said.
While the increase isn't welcome news for customers, there may be some solace in knowing that it could have been worse: Pacific Power asked for a 15.1 increase in electric power rates.
The utility will see its revenues increase by $13.5 million instead of $38.5 million.
As part of the latest 5.3 percent rate increase, customers will be chipping in an additional 2 cents per month for the low-income bill assistance program. A basic monthly charge of $6 per customer remains unchanged. The state Attorney General's Office, which represented the public in the rate request, announced a tentative settlement agreement in August.
Tom Gauntt , Pacific Power spokesman, said the utility sought the increase to offset investments in a natural gas plant in Chehalis, Wash., and construction of the Marengo II wind farm in Walla Walla County.
Also included in the request were expenses for expansion of the utility's 130,000-member customer base, primarily located in Yakima and Walla Walla counties, and an 11 percent rate of return.
Pacific Power won approval from the UTC for an 8.5 percent rate increase last year and a 6.5 percent increase in 2007.
The commission, based in Olympia, regulates private, investor-owned utilities in the state to assure reliable service and reasonable rates and a fair profit level.
Pacific Power is owned by MidAmerican Energy Holdings Co. of Des Moines, Iowa, a company controlled by billionaire Warren Buffett. MidAmerican operates in six states.
* David Lester can be reached at 509-577-7674 or dlester@yakimaherald.com.
"As part of the latest 5.3 percent rate increase, customers will be chipping in an additional 2 cents per month for the low-income bill assistance program."
What do we have here? A hidden "tax" of some kind? I have opted out of paying everyone else's electric bill. Mine is high enough already. Furthermore, the first thing that happens when you don't pay your electric bill, like my neighbor, when he lost his income, they heartlessly shut your power off! He was plugged into MY house for 3 months with an extension cord, just so his refrigerator would run and he could keep some food safe for his two small boys!
Add insult to injury, they build a forest of thousands of ugly windfarms, destroying the view of the once-beautiful Columbia River Gorge. What happened to the old pitch about "cheap power" we got from them, to be delivered because of these windfarms? We have again been sold down the river by our government. How much more can we, the people, take?
"Drill, Baby, Drill"
Sarah Palin
Ah guys, don't worry about everything going up. First of all, if the administration get it's way, 5.2 percent isn't a raise in rate at all, 1005.2 percent is a raise in rate.
And again we must congratulate the county commissioners. The approved their pay increase just in time to pay for the increase power bills they will get at home. Any one want to bet that the county will now say they don't have any money to pay the bills so we will have to cut jobs?
These guys raise rates like insurance companies. Wonder what the PP&L CEO makes for a salary???
County employees need better representation. City of Yakima amoung highest paid in state, county employees the lowest. Who represents them.. Why its the same union. Whats up at city hall
"Tom Gauntt , Pacific Power spokesman, said the utility sought the increase to offset investments in a natural gas plant in Chehalis, Wash., and construction of the Marengo II wind farm in Walla Walla County."
The green movement is jacking up energy prices every year. As usual, their agenda ends up hurting poor people the most.
sujan. That's the purpose of cap and trade.
Report ViolationLow and Behold, squeeze a little tighter and what else is new? I thought the tidbit about Warren Buffet was a nice little Extra. Good to know that all the way out here in the west where you go to get away from it all, you can see the monopoly guy from your front porch. Oh yeah, turn the lights on, now you see him? Folks, these are the times when the thymbal and the shoe are about bankrupt and don't pass go and collect two hundred dollars. Instead go to jail and your not even a wallstreet banker. Hope and change! My A**!
Report ViolationYea this is messed up. You want to here a better one here it goes:
Light at the end of the Enron scandal: $9 million for Washington.
Nearly $6 million in checks was sent to utilities in Washington. Rather than distribute small refunds to individuals, the money will be used to help reduce heating expenses for low-income households and support weatherization programs that improve heating efficiency. Allocations were made based on the number of customers served by each utility.
This how much went to Pacific Power:
PacifiCorp, d.b.a. Pacific Power $228,658.50
BUT remember these are for LOW-INCOME individuals.
So I guess the rest of us who actually paid out get NOTHING.
This comes right from OUR Attorney General's Website
http://www.atg.wa.gov/pressrelease.aspx?&id=24828
I would rather have my small individule refund than NOTHING at all.....
Report Violation
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