Bellingham - Public hearing on clean & affordable energy

In May and June, the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission (WUTC) will be taking public comments on two important matters concerning Puget Sound Energy:

• PSE’s request for a rate increase (the “rate case”), and
• The proposed acquisition of the utility by the Macquarie Investor Consortium.  

PSE gas and electric customers should express their support for energy efficiency, low-income energy services, renewable energy and strong greenhouse gas emissions-reduction policies

Why are these hearings important?
PSE, an investor-owned utility, is Washington state's largest and oldest energy utility, serving more than 1 million electric customers and about 725,000 natural gas customers, primarily in the Puget Sound region. Increasing electricity and gas rates is always a concern for energy consumers, who need to know that the increase is justified and will be fairly divided among large and small users, The proposed acquisition raises critical questions about PSE’s continued role as a regional leader in pursuing clean and affordable energy.
 
The WUTC must approve rate increases for the state’s investor-owned utilities and must approve proposed utility mergers and acquisitions.

What should you tell the WUTC?
Specific talking points and additional information will be available prior to the first hearing. However, some of the key issues include:

• The investor consortium’s proposal to maintain PSE’s investments in energy efficiency, renewable energy and low-income energy services.  Is maintaining the status quo sufficient?
• PSE’s proposal to significantly increase residential electric and gas customers’ monthly base charges 50% ($3 per month) for electricity and 125% ($10 per month) for gas, changes that erode customer interest in conserving energy.
• PSE’s proposal to increase funding for its’ low-income bill assistance program for electric and gas customers, and further assistance for gas customers if the base charge increase is approved.

If you have questions about the rate case or the proposed acquisition, or seek other additional information, please contact Danielle Dixon at danielle@nwenergy.org, Jesse Stanley at jesse@nwenergy.org, or either at (206) 621-0094. If you’re planning to attend the hearings, please let one of them know and they can send you talking points.