Notice of Utility Tariff Filing
The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that Chugach Electric Association, Inc. (Chugach) filed a tariff revision designated as TA426-8, requesting Commission approval to re-enter the Simplified Rate Filing (SRF) process for energy and demand rate changes to the Chugach retail classes and the wholesale class to the Seward Electric System (SES).
The SRF is a process by which an electric utility may adjust its rates, outside of a general rate case, as frequently as quarterly, but may not exceed a cumulative 20 percent increase in any three-year period or a cumulative eight percent in any twelve-month period. Rate adjustments under SRF regulations are in addition to Chugach’s quarterly Fuel and Purchased Power Rate Adjustments (3 AAC 48.700 and 3 AAC 52.503). With TA426-8, Chugach is requesting re-entry into the SRF process to adjust demand and energy rates on a quarterly basis, utilizing the twelve months ending March, June, September, and December as the test periods.
In addition to requesting re-entry into the SRF process, Chugach is proposing new energy and demand rate changes to the Chugach retail classes and the wholesale class to the SES based on a test year ending March 31, 2016. With this filing, Chugach is requesting an increase of 4.2 percent for demand and energy rates for retail service and an increase of 6.4 percent for demand and energy rates for wholesale service to Seward Electric System. At this time, Chugach is not proposing to apply SRF rate adjustments to non-firm wheeling transactions. A sample of the existing and proposed rates is provided below.
| | Existing Rate | Proposed Rate |
| Residential Service Energy Charge | $0.11356/kWh | $0.11832/kWh |
| Small General Service Energy Charge (Under 20 kW) | $0.08130/kWh | $0.08471/kWh |
| Large General Service – Secondary Voltage (Over 20 kW) | | |
| Demand Charge | $18.47/kW | $19.24/kW |
| Energy Charge | $0.04016/kWh | $0.04184/kWh |
| Large General Service – Primary Voltage (Over 20 kW) | | |
| Demand Charge | $19.11/kW | $19.91/kW |
| Energy Charge | $0.04173/kWh | $0.04348/kWh |
| Large General Service - Combined Metering Service | | |
| Demand Charge | $19.11/kW | $19.91/kW |
| Energy Charge | $0.04173/kWh | $0.04348/kWh |
| Economic Viability Rate | | |
| Demand Charge | $18.47/kW | $19.24/kW |
| Energy Charge | $0.04016/kWh | $0.04184/kWh |
| Sale for Resale – Seward Electric System | | |
| Demand Charge | $12.92/kW | $13.74/kW |
| Energy Charge | $0.01290/kWh | $0.01372/kWh |
Chugach is also proposing to revise rates for streetlights and standby and buyback service.
Finally, Chugach requested a waiver of 3 AAC 48.710(b), which requires electric utilities making quarterly adjustments to rates under the SRF process to file within 60 days of the end of the quarter. Chugach states that the waiver is necessary to ensure it achieves its target Times Interest Earned Ratio (TIER).
This notice does not contain all revisions and the Commission may approve a rate or classification which varies from that proposed. You may obtain more information about this filing by contacting Arthur Miller, Director of Regulatory Affairs and Pricing at Chugach, at 5601 Electron Drive, P. O. Box 196300, Anchorage, AK 99519-6300; phone: (907) 762-4758. The complete filing is also available for inspection at the Commission’s office at 701 West 8th Avenue, Suite 300, Anchorage, AK 99501; phone: (907) 276-6222, or may be viewed at the Commission’s website at http://rca.alaska.gov by typing “TA426-8” in the Find a Matter search box.
To comment on this filing, please file your comments by 5:00 p.m., August 5, 2016, at the Commission’s address given above or via our website at:
https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx
Please reference TA426-8 and include a statement that you have filed a copy of the comments with Chugach at its address given above or by email at info@chugachelectric.com.
Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats, please contact Joyce McGowan at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782, TTY (907) 276-4533 or send a request via electronic mail to rca.mail@alaska.gov by July 29, 2016.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 7th day of July, 2016.
REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA
Julie C. Vogler
Finance Section Manager