Notice of Utility Tariff Filings
The REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA (Commission) gives notice that College Utilities Corporation (CUC) and Golden Heart Utilities, Inc. (GHU, jointly “Utilities”) have filed joint revenue requirement studies, cost of service studies, and lead-lag studies for its water (TA174-97 and TA140-118, respectively) and wastewater utilities (TA179-37 and TA132-290, respectively), based on a 2023 test year. The Utilities request interim and refundable across-the-board rate increases of 17 percent for water, and 14 percent for wastewater, effective September 27, 2024, and proposed permanent rate increases based on the outcome of the proposed cost of service studies. A selection of the current, proposed interim, and proposed permanent rates are in the table below:
| Service | Current Rate | Proposed Interim Rate | Proposed Permanent Rate |
| WATER |
| Single Residential Metered |
| Usage Rate per 1,000 gal. | $9.95 | $11.64 | $12.95 |
| Fixed Fee | $11.31 | $13.23 | $14.72 |
| 1" Meter Charge | $24.07 | $28.16 | $31.34 |
| Residential Unmetered Total Monthly Fee | $97.28 | $113.82 | $126.64 |
| Commercial Metered |
| Usaqe Rate per 1,000 qal. | $13.28 | $15.54 | $16.50 |
| Fixed Fee | $16.21 | $18.97 | $20.14 |
| 2" Meter Charge | $105.26 | $123.15 | $130.76 |
| Water Hauler |
| Usage rate per 1,000 gal. (0-100,000 gal.) | $9.53 | $11.15 | $13.15 |
| Fixed Fee | $23.72 | $27.75 | $32.74 |
| 2" Meter Charge | $46.01 | $53.83 | $63.50 |
| WASTEWATER |
| Single Residential Metered |
| Usage Rate per 1,000 gal. | $15.80 | $18.01 | $19.57 |
| Fixed Fee | $19.78 | $22.55 | $24.50 |
| 1" Meter Charge | $24.75 | $28.22 | $30.66 |
| Residential Unmetered Total Monthly Fee | $128.04 | $145.96 | $158.62 |
| Commercial Metered |
| Usage Rate per 1,000 gal. | $16.49 | $18.80 | $20.99 |
| Fixed Fee | $83.78 | $95.51 | $106.63 |
| 2" Meter Charge | $108.26 | $123.41 | $137.78 |
| GHU Septage Hauler |
| Usage Rate per 1,000 gal. | $107.65 | $122.72 | $105.97 |
| Fixed Fee | $412.55 | $470.31 | $406.11 |
In addition to the proposed rate increases, the Utilities request approval of updates to their cost allocation manuals. The Utilities propose an increase to the Cost of Energy base rate included in the Cost of Energy Adjustment (COEA) surcharge from $2.31878 to $2.48903 for water, and from $1.43180 to $1.76672 for wastewater. All other factors being equal, the effect of an increase in the Cost of Energy base rate is a decrease in the COEA, as the base rate is subtracted from the average cost of energy to determine the total amount of the surcharge. Finally, the Utilities propose decreases in the Plant Replacement and Improvement Surcharge Mechanism for both water and wastewater operations from 3.75 percent to 0.00 for water, and from 4.64 percent to 0.00 percent for wastewater.
This notice does not contain every requested revision and the Commission may approve a rate or classification which varies from those proposed. You may obtain more information about these filings by contacting Dean Thompson, Counsel for the Utilities, at 255 E. Fireweed Lane, Suite 200, Anchorage, AK 99503; phone: (907) 277-1604. The complete filings are also available for inspection at the Commission's office, at 701 West Eighth 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 the appropriate tariff advice number in the Find a Matter search box.
To comment on this filing, please file your comments by 5:00 p.m., September 13, 2024, at the Commission address given above or via our website at:
https://rca.alaska.gov/RCAWeb/WhatsNew/PublicNoticesComments.aspx
Please reference the appropriate tariff advice number and include a statement that you have filed a copy of the comments with CUC or GHU at its address given above.
Individuals or groups of people with disabilities, who require special accommodations, auxiliary aids or service, or alternative communication formats, please contact Naomi Johnston at (907) 276-6222, toll-free at 1-800-390-2782, or TTY/Alaska Relay: 7-1-1 or 1 (800) 770-8973, or send a request via electronic mail to rca.mail@alaska.gov by September 6, 2024.
DATED at Anchorage, Alaska, this 19th day of August, 2024.
REGULATORY COMMISSION OF ALASKA
Becki Alvey
Advisory Section Manager