New `demand' charge spikes electric bills

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By The Associated Press

Story Published: Mar 18, 2010 at 2:55 PM MST

Story Updated: Mar 18, 2010 at 2:55 PM MST

CASPER, WYOMING - Some Wyoming businesses are complaining about Rocky Mountain Power's new electric power rate schedule.

One Casper businessman says he had to lay off one of his three workers because of the extra costs for power. Under the new rate schedule implemented last May by Rocky Mountain Power, users can be assessed a $500 "demand" charge for exceeding their normal power usage.

The demand charge has been a major hit for small businesses that must power up large equipment every so often or small hotels that crank up air conditioners in the summer.

And more rate hikes are in the works. Rocky Mountain Power recently proposed a rate increase of 13.7%, which is under negotiation at the Wyoming Public Service Commission.

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