Most Rocky Mountain Power customers will avoid rate hike

Most eastern Idaho customers of Rocky Mountain Power will not experience an electricity increase this spring.

The utility’s annual energy cost adjustment for 2013 proposes no increase for residential, commercial or irrigation customers. Two industrial customers will see a rate increase as outlined in a settlement in a previous price increase request in 2011.

The energy cost adjustment is designed to track the difference between the company’s actual costs to provide electricity and the amount collected from customers through current prices.

Specifically, the company’s proposal requests deferral of the 2012 energy related costs of $15.9 million and an adjustment of the energy cost adjustment rider, Schedule 94, by $2.2 million. According to Rocky Mountain Power, those costs will be collected from two large industrial customers. One would receive a 2.6 percent or $2.1 million increase and the other a 2.4 percent hike totaling $100 thousand.

If approved by the Idaho Public Utilities Commission the adjustment would take effect April 1st.