Interim power rates increase approved
The Yukon Utilities Board has approved ATCO Electric Yukon’s request for an interim increase in monthly electrical bills beginning this month.
The Yukon Utilities Board has approved ATCO Electric Yukon’s request for an interim increase in monthly electrical bills beginning this month.
As a result, bills for the average home using 1,000 kilowatt hours a month will see an increase of about $8 on this month’s bill, and another $5 a month beginning Jan. 1.
ATCO filed its rate application with the board in May. It’s looking for an increase in rates of 4.4 per cent this year and 3.1 next year.
In keeping with standard policy with public utilities, the company applied for the interim boost to ease the financial burden of having to collect everything at once if its application is eventually approved months down the road.
The board has scheduled a three-day public hearing beginning Nov. 1.
ATCO said it needs the additional revenue to cover the capital cost of maintaining and improving its assets.
It is, for instance, seeking approval of $5 million needed to convert its six diesel engines at the Watson Lake generating plant to bi-fuel engines capable of burning diesel and natural gas.
The Watson Lake project was previously rejected by the board, though ATCO Electric has revamped its application.
The electrical company is also looking to cover costs associated with phase three of the Whistle Bend subdivision, and replacing one of its diesel generators in Old Crow, for example.
The additional funds being sought include $500,000 to explore potential in renewable energy generation, particularly wind and solar.
ATCO maintains none of the additional revenue it’s seeking is needed to support regular operational spending, which includes wages and benefits for its 70 employees.
Comments (13)
Up 0 Down 0
wundering on Jul 17, 2016 at 4:25 pm
@ north_of_60
Insulting, and calling people names always helps you make a point.
Up 2 Down 0
north_of_60 on Jul 16, 2016 at 2:44 pm
The misinformed 'thumbs down' doesn't change the fact that the LNG 'boil off gas' is used for heating in the YE facility. Much of the facility is underground and heating is required year round. The 'boil off gas' is used to replace the diesel fuel that used to provide the heating. An informed person would know that.
The greentards have their minds made up and don't want their preconceived notions confused with facts, and will 'thumbs down' anything that doesn't fit their anti-everything propaganda.
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north_of_60 on Jul 15, 2016 at 12:39 pm
@AL is mistaken and should take the time to educate himself on how the LNG facility actually works instead of spouting greenwashed misinformation.
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AL on Jul 14, 2016 at 10:02 pm
Anyone here heard of "Boil Off Gas"?
You should all be pointing fingers at the LNG plant...
The LNG in the tanks is constantly expanding and needs to be burned off.
It does not just sit there waiting to be used like the diesel did.
Especially in the summer when it is hot and the sun is shining and all that water is "spilling over the dam" the generators need to be run to burn off excess gas.
Seems like every second time I drive by YEC, the generators are running.
Now do you understand where the rate increase is going?
Straight to Atco Gas that's where.
And Atco is grinning ear to ear with all these anti-renewable comments!
You want to raise a fuss? Protest the Watson Lake generator upgrades that will just up the amounts ratepayers are shelling out to Atco Gas.
Up 8 Down 3
wundering on Jul 13, 2016 at 5:58 pm
What is the percentage of solar power or alternative power that is bought at 3x's the regular rate?
Is it enough to cause the neccessity for a rate increase?
Is the utility actually the one funding this program, or does it come out of the governments pocket?
As utilities continue to raise rates, it only increases the trend for users to look to alternative sources.
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north_of_60 on Jul 12, 2016 at 6:11 pm
If you don't like the rate increase don't blame Yukon Energy/Electric.
You can blame the greenwashed lobbyists who caused the government to force Yukon Energy/Electric to buy solar electricity at three to four times the cost of producing electricity with renewable hydroelectric.
You can blame the people with solar panels connected to the grid because they cause Yukon Energy/Electric to buy electricity from them at a net loss.
You can blame the greenwashed idiots who can't comprehend the consequences of their green fantasies. They can't seem to grasp that clean renewable hydroelectricity from a dam that paid for itself ages ago is the cleanest form of renewable energy available to us. NOT solar panels and wind turbines made in China by factories that dump pollution on the land, into the water, and into the air that drifts over the Yukon.
Up 22 Down 15
jean inconneau on Jul 12, 2016 at 4:58 pm
Of course the rates have to increase. YE is buying solar power for 3x what it costs them to generate the same electricity with the water behind the dams. Whenever wind and solar power are available there is a surplus of water behind the dams. People wanted wind and solar on the grid even though it was a financial loss for YE. Now they have to pay for their greenwashed foolishness.
If you don't like buying electricity from YE then go off-grid and generate your own. Nothing is stopping you, so don't complain.
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Just Say'in on Jul 12, 2016 at 1:43 pm
If they would just quit spending money on all of these useless alternative green solutions and just get on with providing affordable power.
The wind generators up the hill only produce power in the summer when we are spilling water from the dam because we have a small demand and a surplus of power on the grid. In the winter they operate until they freeze up or have a major breakdown which happens all the time. The whole time they run in the winter they draw power off of the grid to try and keep themselves de-iced. It is a total JOKE. Every summer they have to bring a HUGE crane from Alberta and drag it up the mountain to do the maintenance. All to appease the greenies.
If you are truly green you would understand that we are almost entirely green energy already and are the greenest in Canada with all of our Hydro contribution. This other navel gazing stuff is just a waste of money.
Up 30 Down 7
Max Mack on Jul 11, 2016 at 10:00 pm
Rate increases will be the new normal, with the government signalling that the cheapest options for energy generation are off the table. Instead, we will get much smaller, far more costly "green" energy generation.
First Nations will be happy as they will get a slice of that revenue with their partnership deals. Environmentalists will be happy, 'cause large hydro puts the run on their cherished solar/wind nonsense.
Diminished benefits for the ordinary sob, yet increased costs. Sounds like paradise, don't it? Frankly, I'm sick of it.
Up 33 Down 9
jc on Jul 11, 2016 at 9:34 pm
Going to be a cold winter for some seniors this year.
Up 33 Down 7
June Jackson on Jul 11, 2016 at 9:11 pm
ATCO posted a profit of 121 million dollars for the first 4 months of 2016. That is up from $78 million for the first 4 months of 2015. Any company that provides a necessity of life, yup, Francis is right.. Its like shooting fish in a barrel.. we can't get away. How many people on the Utilities Board own stock?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgary/atco-profits-first-quarter-2016-1.3555191
Up 35 Down 6
Mike L on Jul 11, 2016 at 8:54 pm
Why should we be paying for Yukon electric to replace an modify their generators. They should be putting money away over the life of the generator, to cover the cost of replacement when it reaches the end of its life. They are a for profit company, would you expect your mechanic to increase his hourly rate he charges for the power lift/or diagnostic equipment needs replacing, no it is the cost of doing business
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Francis Pillman on Jul 11, 2016 at 4:14 pm
Good timing. I saw water went up in price again on the NASDAQ today. *rolls eyes*
Power is a necessity in our lives. Which means it should all be run by the government. Private grubby hands should have no part in it. This is the result. Nothing but thieves in the night. Thanks.