Historic electric rate hike hearing begins this week

A 21.6% electric rate hike request panned by customers and politicians as an unjustified threat to households and the state’s economy will be scrutinized beginning Wednesday at a multi-day, court-like hearing before the Wyoming Public Service Commission.
The high-profile and historic rate hike from Rocky Mountain Power — the largest proposed increase in Wyoming in more than 10 years — would tap some 144,000 households and businesses for an extra annual $140.2 million.
Another Rocky Mountain Power electric rate hike — a one-time $50.2 million fuel cost adjustment over 12 months — was temporarily imposed on customers in July but awaits potential modifications and final approval by the commission later this year.
Combined, the average Rocky Mountain Power household would see a monthly increase of $19.94 beginning in 2024, the company estimates. Some critics claim that’s a low-ball estimate.
Regardless, the overall 29.2% increase, according to hours of public comment in recent weeks, might force some businesses to close their doors, prevent new businesses from coming to Wyoming, push more households to become reliant on under-funded public utility assistance programs and even threaten the health of residents who can’t afford higher utility bills.
The proposal has attracted the ire of lawmakers who doubt the utility’s intentions and instead blame its increasing investments and reliance on renewable energy for the rate hike. The Corporations, Elections and Political Subdivisions Committee has proposed a slew of draft bills its members say will help protect Wyoming ratepayers from increasing utility costs. The committee will review seven draft measures when it meets Friday in Cheyenne.
The utility’s justification for the increases is primarily mounting costs related to coal and spiking natural gas prices in response to weather extremes likely to continue due to human-caused climate change. Observers note those factors are not necessarily unique to Rocky Mountain Power. The same market conditions, extreme weather implications and an ongoing utility industry shift from fossil fuels to renewables will also factor in myriad rate cases to come.
The hearing will take place at the Wyoming Public Service Commission’s headquarters in the Hansen Building, 2515 Warren Ave., Suite 300, in Cheyenne beginning at 9 a.m. Wednesday. It will continue at 9 a.m. each following work day through Nov. 3, at the commission’s discretion.
The hearing is open to the public and will be livestreamed or dial 1-719-359-4580, meeting ID: 819-2930-6120. There will be opportunities for public comment throughout the hearing.