A decision by the Yukon Utilities Board that has sent ATCO Electric Yukon back to the drawing board on its request for rate increases has the NDP generating a few thoughts.
Lane Tredger, the NDP MLA for Whitehorse Centre, provided The Yukon Star with a statement this morning.
“Last fall, ATCO asked the Yukon Utilities Board to approve large electricity rate increases, even though they have been earning millions of dollars in excess profits for years,” Tredger said.
“Meanwhile, Yukoners are still reeling from the highest inflation rates in recent memory and can’t afford big increases to their electricity bills. I was proud to stand up for Yukoners and say no to ATCO’s rate hikes by applying as an intervenor before the Yukon Utility Board.
“I’m proud that our advocacy led to the recent utility board decision to reject parts of ATCO’s application. As a result, Yukoners will see a smaller increase to their electricity bills,” they said.
The board ordered ATCO Electric Yukon to submit a new compliance filing by June 30. That will determine the actual rate increases.
Tredger said “many costs that ATCO sought to include in their General Rate Application were reduced or ordered to be removed from the application. The new compliance filing from ATCO will have a lower revenue requirement than the initial application, and therefore a smaller rate increase.”
Jay Massie, ATCO’s vice-president, Northern Development & Indigenous Relations, could not be contacted by The Yukon Star on Monday. Via a company spokesperson, Massie would only provide a brief statement.
“We are currently reviewing the decision from the Yukon Utilities Board,” the statement said. “It is a complex decision, so we will go through it in detail and file our compliance plan within 30 days.”
