December 1, 2023 |
Photo – Rocky Mountain Power logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rocky Mountain Power is facing strong opposition for its proposed general rate increase of 21.6 percent from the Wyoming Public Service Commission.
The historic rate hike request is facing intense opposition from consumers, strapped with a nearly 20 percent across the board inflation because of White House economic policies.
Rocky Mountain Power, which has invested heavily in wind power installations across Wyoming to deliver electricity to the Pacific Northwest, faces opposition not just from residential power users in Wyoming, but from business and legislators.
Rocky Mountain Power is headquartered in Washington State. The public service commission is weighing more than 30 independent items in the utility company’s request for the rate increase.
The original rate increase from Rocky Mountain Power on customers in the Cowboy State included costs related to Washington state’s Climate Control Act. RMP has argued the expense should be carried by all states.
The commission also rejected a Rocky Mountain Power request for a 10% return on equity (ROE), and instead voiced approval for a 9.35% ROE.
The PSC will continue to deliberate the hefty rate increase with a deadline of December 31 to issue a written decision.
In the meantime, the Wyoming Legislature is also teeing up legislation to be introduced in the upcoming session to hold the line on rate increases and other measures to protect consumers.
