Yukoners’ power rates will increase
Another rate hike in electrical bills has been approved by the Yukon Utilities Board.
Another rate hike in electrical bills has been approved by the Yukon Utilities Board.
The board has OKed an interim increase of 5.5 per cent for Yukon Energy effective Sept. 1.
The public utility announced last Friday afternoon the increase will result in an additional $7.50 a month for the average home using 1,000 kilowatt hours.
Yukon Energy applied to the board in June for 9.08 per cent hike in rates over 2017 and 2018. It has asked for an interim rate hike of 9.04 per cent beginning Friday.
The board is working through the normal rate application process involving the exchange of questions and answers between the board, Yukon Energy and intervenors such as the City of Whitehorse and the Utilities Consumers’ Group.
A public hearing is scheduled for three days beginning Nov. 28.
Interim rate increases are typically approved by the board as a means of avoiding one sharp hike at the end of the process.
ATCO Electric Yukon applied last summer for a 7.5 per cent increase over 2016 and 2017.
The board approved a 3.5 per cent boost over the two years, as well as several capital expenditures that can be added to the rate base.
Yukon Energy pointed out Friday it hasn’t had a rate increase since 2013.
Comments (17)
Up 15 Down 1
Groucho d'North on Sep 11, 2017 at 9:41 am
The price of energy keeps going up and consumers don’t see any improved value for the higher prices we pay. System interruptions (power failures) occur more frequently and the quality of the electrical service varies from the specified 60 Hz.
I propose that YEC and ATCO share some of the pain and start to reimburse customers with electrical equipment that is damaged by their poor quality electrical service. With the money they are adding to their coffers they can afford an insurance program to cover the cost of compensating customers with computers and other appliances that are damaged by this expensive and unreliable energy service. It’s time for ATCO and YEC to walk the talk.
Up 8 Down 1
kevin tutin on Sep 11, 2017 at 4:50 am
Power outfit has to cover cost overruns at Aishihik dam which was 1 million dollars plus since then Morrison left leaving the new guy the problem. Also it's time to get rid of Atco as they can't handle the work resulting in power failures blaming birds and squirrels.
Up 17 Down 1
Joel on Sep 9, 2017 at 9:03 am
Yukon Energy gets a rate increase every time Atco gets a rate increase. They are tied together in Yukon. Just because they didn't request it doesn't mean they haven't gotten any.
Up 16 Down 10
Frustrated on Sep 7, 2017 at 11:00 pm
Facts:
1. We are on the Pacific Rim.
2. Geothermal energy is under our feet and can provide constant power production 24/7/365 at a significantly lower maintenance cost than hydro
3. It's green
4. It would replace our dependence on fossil fuels
5. Government doesn't like it because it would reduce the required labor force over the long term which doesn't buy votes
I.e produce jobs get re- elected.
Up 21 Down 16
Hugh Mungus on Sep 7, 2017 at 3:18 pm
Electricity should be the defacto standard in home heating. Electricity created by hydro electric solar or wind (maybe one day nuclear) should be the direction the Yukon should be headed. Yet here we are burning diesel (Or LNG) to haul more diesel to burn for heat. It's madness.
Up 33 Down 1
yukon56 on Sep 7, 2017 at 3:10 pm
Power out AGAIN wtf????
Up 37 Down 5
Frustrated on Sep 6, 2017 at 10:39 pm
If Atco released a report of the wages being paid to their employees, the public would be shocked. I personally know several employees of Atco that are vastly overpaid versus their comparable positions elsewhere in Canada.
Unfortunately it's a trickle down effect. When the cost of delivering our electricity is out of control of course we will all have to pay for it.
Up 30 Down 8
Max Mack on Sep 6, 2017 at 9:48 pm
The sad reality is that this government is completely committed to taking your money through rate hikes and giving it to the chosen few (First Nations, in particular. But, the well-to-do and the technically literate will also be able to take advantage).
Rate hikes are inevitable under net-metering and independent power production policies, with additional gouging coming from "green" energy projects.
Combined with carbon taxes, excessive landfill tipping fees and regulations, environmental fees, the war on parking, increasing municipal/territorial/federal taxes, over-regulation of lot and housing construction, the Yukon may become a very expensive place to live.
Up 4 Down 1
jc on Sep 6, 2017 at 9:30 pm
Denise this is happening to me as well.
Up 35 Down 4
Time For A Revolution on Sep 6, 2017 at 7:44 pm
Electricity is steadily changing from a basic necessity into a luxury commodity for the rich. The rest of us get to decide whether we pay the light bill this month or buy groceries for a week instead.
Up 19 Down 12
solomonsmines on Sep 6, 2017 at 2:33 pm
Cook outside on a propane camp stove. Use candles. Go away for the winter.
Reduce, reduce, reduce.
Up 15 Down 4
DeniseGregerson on Sep 6, 2017 at 10:37 am
There is something very wrong with your system of likes and dislikes. I have not read this page before and yet when I click on thumbs up I get a message saying that I have already liked this comment. This has been happening for weeks when I try to comment. Are you censoring comments or is this just another computer glitch?
Moderator: It's another software glitch - I'll have the technicians look at it.
Up 46 Down 4
Lost in the Yukon on Sep 5, 2017 at 7:43 pm
Real nice ... decisions made by over paid upper middle class appointees with no regard to low income Yukoners and senior's living on fixed incomes.
Up 14 Down 4
JC on Sep 5, 2017 at 5:36 pm
Was this discussed with the prime dhimmi?
Up 42 Down 2
Nile on Sep 5, 2017 at 5:23 pm
Remember that this increase is before any Liberal carbon tax is added.
Up 55 Down 2
yukon56 on Sep 5, 2017 at 5:02 pm
How about the cost of wear and tear on my appliances and electronics every time they loose transmission?
Up 86 Down 4
Wait, what? on Sep 5, 2017 at 3:49 pm
Is our service going to increase also and not cut out every other week?