Perhaps the timing could be better.
Western Washington is still shrugging off the lingering effects of snow, ice and wind storms that left hundreds of thousands without power. Meanwhile, the region’s largest supplier of electricity, Puget Sound Energy, is asking state regulators for a rate increase.
What could go wrong?
It’s far from a fiendish plan – more like a coincidence of the calendar. PSE originally requested the rate increase last summer, triggering a lengthy, arcane battle spearheaded by dueling accountants armed with razor-sharp spreadsheets. The next phase of the process is a pair of public hearings: one in Bellevue on Wednesday; the next in Olympia on Feb. 15
The hearings give residents a chance to air their views on the proposed increase, which hasn’t been approved. A decision by the state Utilities and Transportation Commission is expected this spring.
Some sort of increase is the likely outcome. It’s a question of how much, and the three-member commission, which regulates private electric companies, makes the final call.
PSE has requested an 8.1 percent rate increase for electrical customers. That represents $8.37 per month for the average residential customer, state records say. A typical natural-gas ratepayer would pay an additional 3 percent, or $2.84 a month, under PSE’s request.
Staff analysts for the commission oppose PSE’s request. They’ve recommended a smaller increase: $2.05 per month for electricity customers and 13 cents per month for gas customers.
The staff recommendation, originally delivered Dec. 7, has nothing to do with the recent storms and their aftermath. The underlying records of the rate-increase debate number thousands of pages from the utility, state regulators and other interested parties. They revolve around methods of financial recovery for services rendered, and knotty questions such as methods of amortization.
Marilyn Meehan, commission spokeswoman, said residents who come to public hearings about proposed rate increases generally oppose them.
“We hear a lot from senior citizens, obviously on fixed incomes, typically against any kind of rate increase,” she said.
Written comments on the rate increase reflect that sentiment. Among the 340 comments received, 311 oppose the increase, two favor it, and 27 are undecided, according to a commission news release.
The commission will continue to accept comments through Feb. 17. The address: P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA 98504. The commission accepts comments at www.utc.wa.gov/comment, e-mailed to comment@utc.wa.gov or called in to 888-333-9882.
Sean Robinson: 253-597-8486
sean.robinson@thenewstribune.com
JOIN THE DISCUSSION | Register here
We welcome comments. Please keep them civil, short and to the point. ALL CAPS, spam, obscene, profane, abusive and off topic comments will be deleted. Repeat offenders will be blocked. Thanks for taking part — and abiding by these simple rules. A thorough explanation of rules of conduct can be found in our Terms of Service. If you have any questions, including why your comment may not be showing immediately after you submit it, be sure to visit the commenting FAQ.