Energy rates could go up

By John Dodge | The Olympian • Published February 29, 2008

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Puget Sound Energy is expected to file an electric and natural-gas rate increase with state regulators today, saying the increase is needed to help cover the costs of utility investments in expanded conservation programs offered by the company.

If approved, electric rates for a typical residential customer of the utility will increase $1.48 per month, or 1.47 percent. For a natural-gas customer, the increase would be about 9 cents per month, or 0.11 percent.

The investor-owned utility has asked the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission to make the new rates effective April 1.

New offerings for residential customers would include increased incentives to install energy-efficient lighting fixtures and major appliances, home-energy audits and equipment to monitor electricity use, Puget Sound Energy officials say.

Small-business lighting rebates and financial incentives for commercial and industrial customers investing in energy conservation also would be increased.

The request is separate from a pending, larger rate-increase request the utility filed with state regulators in December. That request is scheduled for public hearings and utilities commission review for a decision late this year. It covers energy supply and delivery costs incurred by the utility, as well as a return on the company's investments.

Under that proposal, an average electrical customer would see an 11.66 percent boost in monthly rates, or about $10.65 a month. A gas customer would see a 5.6 percent increase, or about $4.60 a month.