NDP opposing proposed power rates hikes
The Yukon NDP registered last Friday as an intervenor in ATCO Electric Yukon’s rate review process, “allowing the Yukon NDP to bring forward the voices of Yukoners and fight against ATCO’s unfair rate increase proposal,” the party said.
The Yukon NDP registered last Friday as an intervenor in ATCO Electric Yukon’s rate review process, “allowing the Yukon NDP to bring forward the voices of Yukoners and fight against ATCO’s unfair rate increase proposal,” the party said.
The company made its application on July 18.
If its plans are approved, base rates would first go down 1.6 per cent on Sept. 1, then jump 6.8 per cent on Jan. 1, 2024 for an overall rise of 5.2 per cent from where they are now.
However, this does not consider the fuel adjustment rider, which makes for an overall rate increase of 3.3 per cent over 2022 rates in September even with the reduction, and a projected 10 per cent total increase in 2024.
Since their last General Rate Application in 2016, ATCO has earned more than $8.5 million above the amount set by the Yukon Utilities Board, the NDP pointed out.
“After years of earning millions in excess profits, ATCO is now trying to increase electricity rates,” said Lane Tredger, the NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre.
“This is unfair to Yukoners.”
The Liberal government “has failed to take action,” the NDP said.
“The government should be making sure that electricity rates are fair instead of letting ATCO take advantage of ratepayers,” said Tredger added.
“It’s clear where the Liberals stand when it comes to protecting Yukoners against corporate greed,” Tredger added.
The board will decide by the end of December whether to accept the proposal after hearing from intervenors and ATCO.
Affected Yukoners and organizations can apply to participate in the process as intervenors, giving them the right to question ATCO’s application and “the utility provider’s justification for the rate hike,” the NDP said.
The deadline for submissions regarding the interim (2023) rate request was Aug. 4.
These submissions are intended to address ATCO’s rate proposal for the remainder of 2023.
The process for determining 2024 rates will be ongoing until December, including public hearings in November.
The NDP plans more submissions as the process continues.
Comments (4)
Up 4 Down 8
Bill on Aug 12, 2023 at 8:28 pm
Joe, Joe, Joe, you have been calling for an election for 8 years now, how has that worked out for you?
Up 17 Down 6
Jack on Aug 10, 2023 at 10:11 pm
ATCO must reinvest in the plant or risk long term damage to the avaliablity of services. NDP dogma is being short-sighted here.
Up 44 Down 10
Joe on Aug 8, 2023 at 11:26 pm
All bark, no bite, typical NDP grandstanding for show. Call an election.
Up 49 Down 12
Robert on Aug 8, 2023 at 3:42 pm
Corporate greed - that's rich coming from the NDP. How about Governmental greed, and being taken advantage by the L-NDP Alliance in the form of nonsensical tax increases, unabated growth in the public sector, and government fees on everything.
That's truly unfair to hardworking Yukoners. Talk is cheap Lane - it has been 7 long years of failed policy - look in the mirror and quit attacking the private sector.