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PSE Interim Rate Case Hearing Feb. 21
As the Puget Sound Energy
(PSE
) rate case stirs controversy among stakeholders, utility customers will have an opportunity to comment formally at a public hearing on February 21. The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission
(UTC
) will take testimony on PSE’s request for interim rate relief from 6:30 to 9 p.m. in Olympia
. The utility is asking for a 21.6 percent rate increase from March 1 through October 2002 to cover excess power costs.
The UTC plans to respond to this request prior to the company’s general rate case filing, which includes a request for a 16.5 percent permanent increase in electricity rates and a 14.5 percent increase in natural gas rates. The general rate case proposal, as is, would raise the company’s annual revenues from gas and electricity by $313 million.
In its general filing, PSE proposes significant changes in rate structure, including an option for an adjustable rate. This proposal shifts power cost risks from the utility to its customers, who would choose whether to pay fixed rates with an added hedge against market price increases or variable rates tied to wholesale market prices. The UTC initially proposed two public hearings in April to address PSE’s general rate case proposals. Parties in the proceeding requested the UTC delay the hearings until after intervenors file testimony. The UTC rescheduled the hearings for August 22 at 6 p.m. in Bellingham
and September 9 at 6 p.m. in Federal Way
. The UTC declined a request for additional hearings.
PSE customers can e-mail comments to the UTC at comments@wutc.wa.gov or call Mert Lott
, 360-664-1312, for more information. Written remarks must include the sender’s name and address as well as the official docket numbers (UE-011570, UG-011571). Driving directions to February 21 hearing can be found on the Internet at www.wutc.wa.gov
.
— Danielle Dixon