Electric bills to rise in June

LIHU‘E — Electric bills will be rising by about $8 a month for average residential customers, after the state Public Utilities Commission authorized new, interim Kaua‘i Island Utility Cooperative rates to take effect May 26.

The increases will be seen on June bills for electricity used after May 26, and will impact members differently depending on rate classes, states a KIUC news release.

Last week, the PUC authorized KIUC’s new, interim rates to take effect as of May 26, the release states.

In its interim rate decision issued late last month, the PUC granted, in large part, the increase agreed to by the parties to the rate case proceeding (KIUC, the Division of Consumer Advocacy in the state Department of Commerce and Consumer Affairs, the federal Department of Navy and Kaua‘i Marriott Resort & Beach Club), as stipulated to in the PUC filing made on April 8, states the release.

As a result of a few adjustments required by the PUC in the interim rate decision, KIUC prepared and filed revised rate-tariff sheets several weeks ago to reflect these adjustments as part of KIUC’s new interim rates.

The overall interim revenue increase will impact each rate class differently, depending on the cost of serving that rate class, with KIUC projected to receive approximately 2 percent above projected overall revenues for 2010 under current rates, the release states.

KIUC will receive a projected 4.6-percent increase in additional revenues from the residential class, as compared to the rates currently in place.

For an average residential customer using 500 kilowatt-hours per month, this will result in an approximate $8 increase in the member’s monthly bill, states the release.

These new interim rates will be reflected in the next billing cycle.

The PUC will continue to review details of KIUC’s rate-increase request, and later will issue a final decision, which may or may not result in further adjustments in the new interim rates, the release states.