For Immediate Release
November 16, 2012
Contact: Kristin Ruesch or Matt Pagel, 608-266-9600
Kristin.Ruesch@wisconsin.gov or Matt.Pagel@wisconsin.gov
Madison – Construction of a new Badger Hydro plant to replace two outdated dams was a factor in the Public Service Commission’s decision on a rate adjustment for Kaukauna Utilities today, but the Commission was still able to bring down the overall percentage increase from the utility’s original request.
Earlier this year, Kaukauna Utilities applied for an overall 6.6% rate increase, which would have been followed by another proposed incremental increase, bringing the total increase request to 8.8%, or about $5.4 million.
Instead, the Commission voted unanimously to cut those numbers back, approving a 4.78% increase, or $2.9 million, and rejecting any incremental increases that would follow until more information is known about the impact the Badger Hydro plant will have on Kaukauna’s costs.
The Commission’s vote to cut back the utility’s original request was possible thanks to decisions to decrease the utility’s rate of return, decrease allowable operating expenses, and to incorporate projected decreases in wholesale purchased power expenses.
All documents associated with the Kaukauna Utilities rate-adjustment request can be found by searching the Commission’s Electronic Regulatory Filing System (ERF) for docket number 2800-ER-106.
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