Palmer – The Matanuska Electric Association Board of Directors voted on February 14 to authorize an increase of 1.89 percent in base rates, effective the second quarter of 2011.

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 $1.54 as a result of the base rate adjustment,” said spokesperson Cheryll Heinze.

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, 2010 and will take effect during the first week of April 2011, pending approval by the RCA.