RMP Requests Rate Decrease From Commission

Rocky Mountain Power requested a decrease in rates for its Wyoming customers of approximately $16.3 million through the company’s annual power cost adjustment process Jan. 28.

Rate changes must first be approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission and will vary by customer class. If approved, price reductions are expected to take effect April 1, 2010.

“Because the company experienced lower costs for fuel, purchased power and other power expenses during the 12-month period ending Nov. 30, 2009, compared to the previous year, we’re able to pass these savings on to our customers,” RMP President Richard Walje said. “Our employees work hard to provide safe and reliable electric service to our more than 132,000 Wyoming customers, and we value the positive relationships with customers and communities we’ve enjoyed throughout our nearly 100-year history in the state.”

If the company’s request is approved, Rocky Mountain Power’s Wyoming rates will decrease by an overall average of approximately 3.1 percent. The rate reduction will apply to customer classes differently based on the power costs required to serve residential, commercial or industrial customers.

The company is required to file annual power cost adjustment requests with the Wyoming Public Service Commission by Feb. 1 of each year, in order to more closely match its actual power costs with the amount recovered in customer rates. The adjustment mechanism is designed to include a cost and risk sharing formula to protect both customers and the company against potential price spikes related to power costs.

This proposed rate decrease relates only to power costs and is separate from Rocky Mountain Power’s pending general rate case in Wyoming, which is currently under review. “If approved, this decrease will help offset the effect of price increases proposed by the company in the pending general rate case, which are driven largely by the expense of new generation, transmission and distribution infrastructure required to serve Wyoming customers,” Walje said.

This is part of the February 4, 2010 online edition of The Glenrock Independent.

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