Utility customers in Western Washington, Spokane face potential rate hikes

Utility customers in Western Washington and Spokane could pay more this year for electricity. But the public will have its say before any final decisions are made.

Puget Sound Energy and Avista Utilities try to raise their rates every so often, usually because of supply costs. Such rate hikes have to be approved by Washington's Utilities and Transportation Commission.

This time, rate hikes face a challenge from Attorney General Bob Ferguson. The AG's Office argues: "PSE is requesting significant rate increases. Starting in January, over three years, PSE looks to raise electric rates by $405 million, and gas rates by $215 million. That’s an increase of about $16 per month for electric customers and $12 per month for gas to the average bill. The Attorney General’s Public Counsel Unit believes those increases are not fair, just, and reasonable."

Ferguson adds that, "It's our view, however, that these these increases are so large that they can't be justified and need to be scaled back."

Avista Utilities, which serves the Spokane area, has made a similar request to raise rates. Customers would pay an extra $7 per month for electricity, and an extra $1 per month for gas.

But Ferguson's office argues that these rate hikes would spike PSE's profits by 10%, and Avista's by 9.4%.

Discussions on the rate hikes are not over. Customers can give public comment at hearings in September before the rates take effect.

A public meeting for Avista Utilities customers will be Sept. 7 at 6 p.m. More information on that here.

A public meeting for PSE customers will be Sept. 28 at 6 p.m. More information on that here.