Watchdog group says Utah Power should cut rates instead of seeking increase
Tuesday December 07, 2004
SALT LAKE CITY (AP) Utah Power is seeking a rate increase averaging $4.75 per month per household, but a watchdog group says the utility should cut rates instead.
The utility has proposed an $111 million rate increase, 9.6 percent hike. But the Committee of Consumer Services, which represents the interests of residential and small-business owners in utility matters before the Utah Public Service Commission, on Monday said a 3.4 percent reduction is warranted.
That would be equal to a $39 million decrease.
Utah Power cited needed investment in the state's power system and employee pension and health-care costs as primary reasons for the request. The rate change would take effect in April.
``The committee's direct testimony shows that many of PacifiCorp's revenue, expense and capital projections are either unreasonable or unsupported,'' the committee said in a Monday release.
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