The Public Service Commission formalized an interim rate increase for Delmarva customers, which was implemented on July 9.
While review of the whole rate increase case proceeds, the PSC says Delmarva can place an interim rate increase of more than $34 million into effect. It's approximately 67 cents added to a customer's utility bill.
The interim increase is half of what the power company asked for in its pending rate case $67.8 million submitted last December.
The PSC gave oral approval for the interim rate last month, and written approval during its Wednesday meeting. PSC member Michael Richard abstained from the vote in July on the interim rate with questions on fairness of the rate.
“Whether or not this is a just and reasonable rate... and who knows, maybe we’ll be informed by the public comment,” he said.
The PSC will conduct a public comment session to get thoughts from Delmarva customers on the full rate case under review.
In December, Delmarva can ask to implement 75% of its rate request if the PSC hasn’t decided then.
The temporary increase will remain in place while the Public Service Commission hears the matter of the pending application for a $67.8 million permanent rate increase.
According to PSC rules, 12 months out from a its original request, Delmarva can put an interim rate increase of 75% of its request in– which would be $51 million.
