PALMER – The Matanuska Electric Association Board of Directors voted on Nov. 9 to authorize an increase of 1.77 percent in base rates, effective the first quarter of 2010.
The average MEA consumer uses just under 800 kilowatt hours of electricity per month. “These consumers can expect to see a monthly increase of about $1.38 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 September 30, 2009 and will take effect during the first week of January 2010, pending approval by the RCA.