Union-Bulletin

WALLA WALLA -- Pacific Power customers will have a chance to comment on proposed electric and gas rate increases Tuesday.

A public hearing on the proposed increases will be held at 6 p.m. at the Walla Walla City Council Chambers, 15 N. Third Ave. Another hearing will be held Wednesday in Yakima.

The hearings are being held by the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission.

PacifiCorp, the Portland-based company that serves about 127,000 Washington customers with electricity through Pacific Power, is seeking a 4.3 percent rate increase starting in May.

Under the proposal, the average residential customer using 1,300 kilowatt hours per month would see a $4.65 increase in their bill for a total of $107.73. That increase would bring $12.9 million in additional annual revenue for the company.

The request was initially filed last July with the Utilities and Transportation Commission, which regulates private, investor-owned electric companies in Washington.

Staff for the agency have recommended cutting the initial request by more than two-thirds, saying they would support a 1.1 percent overall rate hike.

That proposal would mean a $1.33 increase for the average residential user of 1,300 kilowatt hours per month. At that rate, the average total residential bill would be $104.41. Pacific Power would receive a revenue increase of $3.3 million annually.

The proposal also includes a 7-cent increase in the basic monthly service charge -- from $6 to $6.07 for Pacific Power customers. That rate would be paid by all customers regardless of the amount of electricity used.

Written comments are also being accepted via mail, email or telephone. The deadline is March 30.

To Comment

Written comments can be addressed to the Washington Utilities and Tranportation Commission at P.O. Box 47250 Olympia, Wash. 98504.

Comments may also be emailed to comment@utc.wa.gov or by calling toll-free 1-888-333-9882.

On The Net

Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission: ubne.ws/wGF6ae