Last week, Chugach Electric filed a rate case with the Regulatory Commission of Alaska (RCA) to increase the price Anchorage area consumers pay for electricity – but energy prices are expected to rise across the Railbelt in coming years.

Chugach Electric has requested an increase to residential rates of about 3.5%.  The cooperative has stated that it must increase prices to cover the revenue lost from a warm winter and a million dollar storm. We know that warmer winters and extreme weather events are indications of climate change – and any increase in prices should be accompanied by strong plans to reduce emissions and mitigate the impacts of our changing conditions. 

For a more detailed explanation on how rate cases work and what Chugach has requested, see this article from the Alaska Energy Transparency Project. To comment on the rate case itself, you can email the RCA directly at [email protected] with the subject line “TA577-8 Comment Submission” by Wednesday, September 5 at 5 pm. 

We also encourage ratepayers to attend the next Chugach Electric Board Meeting on September 17 to voice their strong support for clean energy and transparent finances to protect ratepayers moving forward. Our staff routinely attends these meetings and is always happy to support other ratepayers attending for the first time. If you’re interested, send our Climate & Salmon Community Organizer, Zoe Cramer, a note at [email protected].

Finally, mark your calendars for our next Clean Power Happy Hour on Wednesday, September 10, with Cady Lister, Executive Director of Renewable Energy Alaska Project, and Natalie Kiley-Bergen, Energy Lead at Alaska Public Interest Research Group. We’ll discuss some of the issues causing rising energy prices on the Railbelt, what solutions could protect ratepayers moving forward, and how you can get involved with advocating for an affordable, clean energy future in Alaska. See you there!

For a bright future, 

The Alaska Center