May 20, 2024 |
Photo – Rocky Mountain Power logo – Bigfoot99 file photo
Rocky Mountain Power versus the State of Wyoming.
The Portland, Oregon-based utility claims that the Wyoming Public Service Commission acted in an unconstitutional manner when, in an effort to protect consumers in the Cowboy state, slashed $23.5 million dollars from the power company’s proposed rate hike.
After building a network of wind power installations across Wyoming to deliver electricity to Pacific Coast states, the utility giant sought a pair of rate increases last year on residents here, totaling about $77-million.
Wyoming residents protested the proposed rate hike at a series of public meetings late last year, including at meeting of the PSC in Cheyenne.
In January of this year, the public service commission gave final approval to an increase of $53.9 million.
The Oregon-based company, doing business here as Rocky Mountain Power, says the new rate will cut its revenue. The company’s complaint was filed in the U.S. District Court of Wyoming.
In April, Rocky Mountain Power filed for a 12.3% rate increase that — if approved — would tap Wyoming customers for a one-time $86.4 million, mostly due to higher-than-expected fuel costs in 2023 to pay for the company’s incorrect estimating of its underlying costs. If Wyoming regulators approve the full amount, the company’s typical residential customer will experience a 9.3% increase, or about $12 more to their monthly bill, beginning July 1 and lasting for 12 months, the company said.
In a second-rate hike request filed last month, Rocky Mountain Power seeks permission to cancel a ratepayer credit derived from the then-President Donald Trump-era Tax Cuts and Jobs Act because it is set to expire, resulting in another 4.2% hike, or about $29.9 million.
Wait. It’s not over. The company is also expected to file a third request to increase its general rate for Wyoming customers.
The Wyoming Public Service Commission approved an 8.3% general rate increase for the company last year, and allowed the company to tap ratepayers for a one-time fuel cost adjustment.
The utility company’s lawsuit comes as it wraps up a series of public workshops around Wyoming. One was held in Rawlins last week. Another is scheduled for Cody on May 28.
On its web site, Rocky Mountain Power reports that its average electric rate is more than 10 percent lower than the average price in Wyoming and 34 percent lower than the national average.
In its lawsuit, PaciCorp claims Wyoming officials are “engaging in clear economic protectionism,” claiming that the state’s position is costing the company $23-million.
The Wyoming Public Service Commission, meanwhile, claims that the electric company is forcing Wyoming customers to subsidize out-of-state users in left-leaning states, who are forcing utilities to secure wind and solar power outside their region while coal companies here suffer.
Next stop: Federal court.
