Montana-Dakota Utilities files electric increase request in Wyoming
BISMARCK, N.D. – June 13, 2016 – Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. filed Friday an electric rate increase request with the Wyoming Public Service Commission. If approved, it would increase residential customers’ monthly bill by an average of about $9.12.
“The primary reasons for the increase request are increased expenses associated with an increased investment in facilities and increased operating and maintenance expenses, including increased fuel costs,” said Nicole Kivisto, president and chief executive officer of Montana-Dakota. “The investment in our Wyoming electric operations has increased by approximately $25 million since the last rate case in 2009. We continue to make investments to ensure safe and reliable service for our customers.”
The proposed increase is for $3.2 million annually over current rates, or a 13.1 percent overall increase. Montana-Dakota serves about 17,700 electric customers in six Wyoming communities.
The proposed increase for each rate class, supported by rate class studies, is:
- Residential 12.6 percent
- Small general 12.4 percent
- Irrigation 15.2 percent
- Large general 14.7 percent
- Lighting 17.9 percent
The last increase in electric rates was 13.1 percent effective May 1, 2010. That case was filed in August 2009 and reflected the addition of the company’s 25-percent share of WyGen III generating station.
The Wyoming PSC has up to 10 months to issue a decision on the proposed increase request.