Want to make your voice heard, re PSE electric rate increase?

OLYMPIA — Puget Sound Energy customers can comment on the company’s proposed rate increase during a public hearing in Olympia on Tuesday.

PSE serves about 1 million electrical users in eastern Jefferson County and in 10 other Western Washington counties.

This is PSE’s first rate case following the sale of the utility to the Macquarie investor consortium.

Tuesday’s public hearing before the state Utilities and Transportation Commission is from noon to 1:30 p.m. in the Commission’s Hearing Room on the second floor of the Richard Hemstad Building, 1300 S. Evergreen Park Drive S.W.

PSE’s rate request would cost its users about $113 million.

It is the company’s 10th request since 2002 to raise electric rates.

The Public Counsel Section of the state Attorney General’s Office has challenged the rate hike.

Public Counsel attorneys said that no rate increase is warranted and that a rate reduction may actually be appropriate.

The three-member UTC will make a decision on PSE’s rate-increase request early this spring.

New rates, if approved, would take effect in April.

The public can also submit written comments to UTC, P.O. Box 47250, Olympia, WA, 98504 or via e-mail to comments@utc.wa.gov.

Include name and mailing address, the name of the company (PSE) and docket no. UE-090704/UG-090705.

More in News

Cities, counties approve tax hikes

State law allows annual 1 percent increase

Health officer: Respiratory illnesses low on Peninsula

Berry says cases are beginning to rise regionally

A puppy named Captain Kirk is getting ready for adoption by Welfare for Animals Guild after it was rescued near Kirk Road. An unsecured makeshift kennel fell out of a truck on U.S. Highway 101 last month and was struck by another vehicle. (Welfare for Animals Guild)
Puppy rescued from wreck to be adopted

A puppy named Captain Kirk is about to boldly go… Continue reading

Festival of Trees raises record $231,000

The 34th annual Festival of Trees, produced by the… Continue reading

Man flown to hospital after single-car collision

A 67-year-old man was flown to an Everett hospital after… Continue reading

Lost Mountain Station 36 at 40 Texas Valley Road recently sold to a neighbor after Clallam County Fire District 3 was unable to recruit volunteers to staff the station. Its proceeds will go toward future construction of a new Carlsborg Station 33. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group file)
District sells one fire station

Commissioners approve 2025 budget

Clallam County Master Gardener Gordon Clark cuts leaves off Isobel Johnston’s agave plant that she had been growing for 28-plus years. She specifically requested Master Gardeners help her remove the plant while keeping at least one for years to come. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Master Gardeners help remove agave plant on Fifth Avenue

Several baby plants uncovered below large leaves

Harvey Hochstetter tosses a box of food to Cameron Needham to stack with fellow volunteers like Bill Needham, right, for the Sequim Food Bank’s Holiday Meal Bag Distribution event. Cameron, his father Ty and grandfather Bill were three generations helping the program. (Matthew Nash/Olympic Peninsula News Group)
Sequim Thanksgiving program helps 1,200 families

About 30 volunteers pack holiday boxes

Security exercise set at Indian Island

Naval Magazine Indian Island will conduct a security training… Continue reading

Operations scheduled at Bentinck range this week

Training at the land-based demolition range on Bentinck Island… Continue reading

Weekly flight operations scheduled

There will be field carrier landing practice operations for aircraft… Continue reading