PALMER - The Matanuska Electric Association Board of Directors unanimously voted on Feb. 11 to authorize an increase of 1.98 percent in base rates, effective the second quarter of 2008.
The average MEA consumer uses just under 800 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. These consumers can expect to see a monthly increase of $1.49 as a result of the base rate adjustment, said spokesperson Lorali Carter.
Under the terms of rules set by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, MEA is allowed on a quarterly basis to file for limited increases or decreases in base rates, provided that the adjustments stay within certain financial parameters established by the RCA.
The rate filing is based on the test year ending December 31, 2007 and will take effect during the first week of April 2008, pending approval by the RCA.