Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission approves electric and natural gas rate hikes.

 PGE 

The Washington State Utilities and Transportation Commission orders Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to raise electric rates by 3.2 % and natural gas prices by 1.3%.   The rates are significantly less than originally requested by PSE.  The new rates will take effect on May 14.   

PGE originally requested an 8.1 percent increase for electric service and 3.0 percent increase for natural gas service.  

The commission also approved an increase of about 30 percent in contributions to PSE’s residential electric low-income assistance program. Customer contributions to the program will increase from $.59 to $.76 a month, beginning May 14.

Source:  Letter from WSUTC responding to a public comment.  Read More >>

May 8, 2012

Docket Number: 111048

Dear Bob: 

Thank you for your interest in the Puget Sound Energy (PSE) electric and gas general rate case proceeding. This letter is to inform you of the Utilities and Transportation Commission’s decision regarding the case.

The commission’s order allows the company to raise electric rates by 3.2 percent and natural gas prices by 1.3 percent. New rates will take effect on May 14. The utility originally requested an 8.1 percent increase for electric service and 3.0 percent increase for natural gas service.

The average residential electric customer using 1,000 kilowatt-hours per month will see an increase of $3.30, for an average $102.56 monthly bill. The basic monthly service charge of $7.25 will increase to $7.48 per month. The average residential gas customer using 68 therms per month will see an increase of $1.08, for an average $86.09 monthly bill. The basic monthly service charge of $10.00 will increase to $10.50 per month.

The commission approved an increase of about 30 percent in contributions to PSE’s residential electric low-income assistance program. Customer contributions to the program will increase from $.59 to $.76 a month, beginning May 14.

PSE electric customers will begin to receive annual bill credits beginning January 1, 2013, for Renewable Energy Credits (RECs). If the company exceeds the percentage of renewable energy it is required by law to produce, it can sell the excess RECs. The revenue from these sales will result in an annual credit of about $8.28 to the average residential electric customer.

To address an ongoing problem with retroactive bills caused by inaccurate meters, the commission’s order imposed new performance standards. The measure shortens the amount of time PSE has to resolve problems with inaccurate electric and gas meters; to help keep customers from getting back bills for long periods of time and large dollar amounts. 

This concludes the matter at the commission. Enclosed with this letter is a copy of the commission’s news release. Additional information can be found at our website, http://www.utc.wa.gov/, by typing “111048” in the docket search tool. You can also contact the Public Records desk at (360) 664-1234 to obtain copies of documents. 

Sincerely,

Roger Kouchi

Public Involvement Coordinator