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NEWS
April 2, 2013

Electric Rate Changes Proposed for July 1

At its April 15 meeting, the Public Utilities Board (Board) will consider a recommendation to increase electric rates for commercial and residential customers by an average of 3.25 percent effective July 1, 2013. This will be the fourth year of the Board’s five-year rate adjustment plan, which was conceptually approved in 2010 to ensure strong fiscal responsibility and reliable service as well as protect Alameda Municipal Power (AMP) and its customers from sudden rate spikes due to higher power and transmission costs, lower electricity demand, and increased operating expenses.
 

This year’s rate increase is also the result of a cost-of-service analysis AMP conducted last year to determine the costs of providing electricity and customer service to various customer classes. The results of the analysis found that AMP’s residential and commercial rate classes require adjustments over the coming years to ensure that the costs of providing service are distributed fairly across customer classes.

While the proposed rate increase averages 3.25 percent for all residential and commercial customers, the percentage of the increase will vary depending on the customer’s rate class. A typical residential customer with an average monthly bill of $53.04 can expect to see an increase of approximately $2.65 to his or her monthly bill.

As a community-owned and locally operated electric system, AMP continues to maintain competitive rates while directly contributing to the City of Alameda’s economic well-being and quality of life. The revenue from electricity sales in Alameda goes toward operation of the system and then to improving community services and quality of life for residents through annual transfers of over $4 million to the city’s general fund.

At the same time, AMP continues to offer residential rates that average nearly 22 percent lower than neighboring cities and commercial rates that average nearly 10 percent lower. These lower rates help ensure that an additional $10 million per year stays in Alameda. And AMP provides electricity that’s far more reliable than that of its neighboring communities.

AMP also offers a variety of programs and services for customers who are interested in controlling their energy costs or who are having trouble paying their utility bills. For those interested in lowering their energy usage, AMP offers a number of energy efficiency programs and rebates to help customers save money and conserve energy. Customers can also request a free energy audit to learn how to manage their energy usage and reduce costs.

For more information about rates or to learn more about how to reduce your energy costs, go to our Save Energy Area of the website.

View information about the Board's meeting on April 15.