Rocky Mountain Power files request to increase rates for Idaho customers

Rising costs of fuel and wholesale power, together with investments in transmission and renewable generation projects, drive the need for a general rate adjustment — the first since 2021

IDAHO FALLS, Idaho — Increased costs of fuel and wholesale power, together with investments in new electric transmission and generation projects that are now serving Idaho customers are driving a request filed May 31 with the Idaho Public Utilities Commission for an increase in general rates. The significant capital investments in this request include the Gateway South and Gateway West Segment D-1 projects, and renewable generating resources, such as the Rock Creek I wind project. In addition, the increasing insurance premiums relating to rising wildfire risks is also a major contributor to the need for the proposed increase.

The request supports the need for an overall average increase from current rates of 26.8% or $92.4 for Idaho customers. To ease the effects of these increased costs on customer bills, the company proposed a rate mitigation plan to phase in the requested increase through two rate changes. Specifically, $66.7 million or 19.4 percent of the overall increase would become effective on January 1, 2025, and $25.7 million or 6.3 percent from 2025 rates would become effective on January 1, 2026.

As proposed, an average residential customer would see an increase of 17.9%, or about $19.90 on January 1, 2025, and an increase of 5.3%, or about $6.94 on January 1, 2026. Even with the proposed increase, Idaho customers of Rocky Mountain Power will pay among the lowest rates in the nation for their electric service.

Rocky Mountain Power’s request proposes the following changes by rate schedule:

Rocky Mountain Power recognizes that its requested increase comes at a time when customers are facing increasing prices for all necessities. Further, the company proactively and aggressively controls the costs that it can. These efforts are demonstrated by the company successfully minimizing the frequency of general rate cases. In the last 10 years, the company has filed only one general rate case, in 2021.

What’s next?

The Idaho commission will examine Rocky Mountain Power’s request and will determine whether the request should be accepted as filed or modified. This process takes several months. The commission has the authority to set final rates that may be lower than the company’s request, depending on the outcome of its examination.

The public will have an opportunity to comment on the proposal as the commission studies the company’s request. A copy of the company’s application is available for public review at the commission’s office address listed below or on the commission’s website, www.puc.idaho.gov, under Case No. PAC-E-24-04. Customers may also subscribe to the commission’s RSS feed to receive periodic updates via email. The request is required to be available at the company’s offices in Rexburg, Preston, Shelley and Montpelier, or on the web at: https://www.rockymountainpower.net/about/rates-regulation/idaho-regulatory-filings.html