Electric rates will increase

The Regulatory Commission of Alaska has approved an increase in Juneau’s electricity rates. After 16 months of study, review and several public hearings, the commission says Alaska Electric Light and Power is justified in raising rates another 4 percent, effective immediately.

The RCA released the order about 8 p.m. Friday.

The privately owned utility company requested the 24 percent increase in May 2010. The commission allowed the company to begin charging 20 percent of that in July 2010.

The across the board rate hike actually shows up less on monthly bills, says AELP spokesman Scott Willis:

“The interim rate raised the average electric bill about 18 and a half percent and the final rate raised it to a total of 22 percent,” Willis says.

Customers will now see an increase of about 3 and a half percent. In monetary terms, that’s about $2 to $3 more a month at an average household use of 750 kilowatt hours per month.

The commission’s 44-page order details all the arguments put forth by the company, the state attorney general’s office and a citizen’s group, Juneau People Power Project. Listen to Morning Edition for more details.
To read the RCA’s order click here (PDF).

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