Regulatory Commission of Alaska

Public Comment for TA886-2 by Joe Vanderzanden

Hello,  I'm writing from Gustavus, AK concerning APC's request for a rate hike in our electricity; TA886-2.
     I worked for the power company here for twenty five years; first for Gustavus Electric and then about three years for AP@T.  Now in retirement, I'm serving on the city council.
     Our hydro project was completed in July 2009 and to date has been providing about 90% of our electric needs.  In the eleven years since then, it has produced nearly 24,000,000 kwh's and in that time none of it has been sold at a price reflecting that it was generated by water.  At every other APC served hydro powered community in southeast rates are in the mid teens while ours remain in the mid thirties and now they want more.  Why are we being singled out to pay the same rate for hydro power that the interior villages are paying for 100% diesel.  
     I realize the need for upgrades in equipment at the hydro and diesel plant but much focus has been on lowering line loss by shortening secondary runs to 150' and adding expensive  transformers and splice cabinets in a town where everyone lives on 1 to 2 acre lots.  The heat loss from extra transformers may be greater than the wire thereby making no headway on our line loss problem which actually is costing us only a half cent per kwh.  If the $.35 rate is continued, it needs to be directed at replacing the 10 miles of unjacketed primary that's been in our distribution system for up to 35 years.
     Regarding a proposed hike in our customer service charge:  when AP@T purchased the company, the meter charge was $12/mo.  They got it raised to $20/mo. bringing in an extra $115k/yr.  Now they want $22 adding another $15k/yr. drain to our community for meters that are not read but downloaded; and the cost of the meters is minimal since ours are mostly second hand from other communities.
     Please deny APC this requested rate increase and further burden on our town.
     Thank you for being there for us.
     Joe Vanderzanden

Type

Comments

Date Filed

10/21/2020

Tracking Number

TR2005838

Filed By

Joe Vanderzanden

Entities

Certificate(s)

Means Received

Internet

Related Matters

TA886-2	Alaska Power Company - Revenue Requirement Study

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