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June 28. 2012 10:10PM
Lower PSNH electric bills in the offing for residential customers
MANCHESTER — Beginning July 1, Public Service of New Hampshire customers will see a 4.4 percent cut in overall bills, with an 18 percent drop in the energy charge.
For a residential customer using 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, that will mean a reduction from $89.06 a month to $86.36 a month, spokesman Mike Skelton said.
Customers who have migrated to a competitive supplier for their energy may pay a different, and possibly higher, rate, he noted. They'll continue to pay the same distribution, stranded costs and other PSNH charges, he said.
In a series of four orders Wednesday, N.H. Public Utilities approved a new default energy service rate for PSNH of 6.13 cents per kWh, down from 7.77 cents per kWh; as well as adjustments to PSNH's stranded cost recovery charge, distribution and transmission rates.
PSNH customers also pay a .98 cent per kilowatt hour charge for the cost of adding the mercury scrubber to Merrimack Station, a coal-fired plant in Bow.
Combined, or “all in” electric rates for PSNH residential customers, including scrubber costs, go to 7.11 cents per kWh, down from 8.75 cents per kWh.
PSNH has asked the PUC to spread the return of the $40 million to ratepayers over 18 months, but the PUC denied the request. Customers will get the money back through lower rates over six months beginning July 1.
The commission ordered PSNH to do a full review of operation, materials and capital costs, including personnel costs, associated with the operations of its fossil fuel plants. The report must be submitted with its next six-month energy service rate review. That will begin in the fall for rates to take effect Jan. 1, 2013.
Skelton said the fossil fuel plants are still a key asset for PSNH. During last week's heat wave, plants in Bow and Newington saved PSNH and its customers more than $1 million compared to what would have been paid on the spot market.
The Stranded Cost Recovery Charge will increase primarily due to costs associated with state-sponsored agreements requiring PSNH to purchase power from five independently owned biomass power plants.
Denis Paiste may be reached at dpaiste@unionleader.com.
The distribution rate increase is due to a scheduled step adjustment that is a provision of PSNH's last rate case with the PUC.
dpaiste@unionleader.com
For a residential customer using 500 kilowatt hours (kWh) of electricity, that will mean a reduction from $89.06 a month to $86.36 a month, spokesman Mike Skelton said.
Customers who have migrated to a competitive supplier for their energy may pay a different, and possibly higher, rate, he noted. They'll continue to pay the same distribution, stranded costs and other PSNH charges, he said.
In a series of four orders Wednesday, N.H. Public Utilities approved a new default energy service rate for PSNH of 6.13 cents per kWh, down from 7.77 cents per kWh; as well as adjustments to PSNH's stranded cost recovery charge, distribution and transmission rates.
PSNH customers also pay a .98 cent per kilowatt hour charge for the cost of adding the mercury scrubber to Merrimack Station, a coal-fired plant in Bow.
Combined, or “all in” electric rates for PSNH residential customers, including scrubber costs, go to 7.11 cents per kWh, down from 8.75 cents per kWh.
PSNH has asked the PUC to spread the return of the $40 million to ratepayers over 18 months, but the PUC denied the request. Customers will get the money back through lower rates over six months beginning July 1.
The commission ordered PSNH to do a full review of operation, materials and capital costs, including personnel costs, associated with the operations of its fossil fuel plants. The report must be submitted with its next six-month energy service rate review. That will begin in the fall for rates to take effect Jan. 1, 2013.
Skelton said the fossil fuel plants are still a key asset for PSNH. During last week's heat wave, plants in Bow and Newington saved PSNH and its customers more than $1 million compared to what would have been paid on the spot market.
The Stranded Cost Recovery Charge will increase primarily due to costs associated with state-sponsored agreements requiring PSNH to purchase power from five independently owned biomass power plants.
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Denis Paiste may be reached at dpaiste@unionleader.com.
The distribution rate increase is due to a scheduled step adjustment that is a provision of PSNH's last rate case with the PUC.
dpaiste@unionleader.com
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