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SALT LAKE CITY -- Rocky Mountain Power's Utah consumers will see their electric rates rise by more than 2 percent.
The Utah Public Service Commission gave the utility permission to raise its rates 2.4 percent. The increase means that the typical customer's bill will rise by about $16 a year.
The company wanted higher rates. It asked the commission to approve a $74 million increase, but was only granted a $33 million hike. Under Utah law, the commission must allow Rocky Mountain Power to cover its costs.
"The commission recognizes that any increase in customer rates is difficult, especially in these challenging economic times," said Julie Orchard, spokeswoman for the PSC.
Rocky Mountain Power spokesman Jeff Hymas said the company would review the PSC order Tuesday.
The power company had asked the PSC for an 11.3 percent -- or $160 million -- increase because it was adding generating facilities and transmission lines to serve its growing customer base. Over time that number dropped to $74.4 million.
The Committee of Consumer Services, the voice for small business owners and residential utility users, however, used its own experts an analysis to argue the company only deserved an $8.5 million increase.
Additional input to the PSC came from the Division of Public Utilities, a state agency charged with balancing the interests of the utilities and consumers. The division recommended a $46.1 million increase.
"I'm pretty happy with the number," said Michele Beck, the director of the committee. "I think we won some of the key issues in the case. At first glance, it appears the PSC may have split the difference between what the committee was requesting and what the division recommended."
Last month, Rocky Mountain Power filed another request to raise rates with the PSC. The utility is asking for the OK to raise rates by another $85 million.
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