Rocky Mountain Power lowers rate hike request to 18%

SALT LAKE CITY — Rocky Mountain Power has scaled back its rate hike request.

The utility company submitted their official request to Utah lawmakers Thursday. They originally requested a 30% increase but has lowered it to 18%. This comes after the power company received a lot of pushback — including from Governor Spencer Cox.

Cox tweeted in June that he would make sure the 30% rate hike never sees the light of day.

“The proposed rate increase from Rocky Mountain Power would be laughable if it wasn’t so dangerous. The proposal is completely unacceptable. The audacity and lack of awareness with this request seriously calls into question management at RMP. I will do everything I can to make…

— Utah Gov. Spencer J. Cox (@GovCox) June 30, 2024

Lawmakers have also questioned whether shareholders could shoulder some of the costs.

The rate change is still up for approval from the Utah Public Service Commission.

Rocky Mountain Power argued that they need the money to help cover higher fuel costs from power plants and higher insurance costs.

If the hike is passed, the average customer would pay a little over $14.28 more a month beginning next year. That’s compared to the average $24-a-month cost the previous hike suggested. 

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