skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Sunday, January 19, 2025

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden pardons nearly 2,500 nonviolent drug offenders; Israeli security cabinet recommends Gaza ceasefire deal; Report: AL needs to make energy efficiency a priority; Lawmaker fights for better health, housing for Michiganders; PA power demand spurs concerns over rising rates, gas dependency.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Biden highlights the challenges faced reaching a Gaza ceasefire, progressives urge action on the Equal Rights Amendment, the future of TikTok remains up in the air, and plans for protests build ahead of Trump's inauguration.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

"We can't eat gold," warn opponents of a proposed Alaskan gold mine who say salmon will be decimated. Ahead of what could be mass deportations, immigrants get training about their rights. And a national coalition grants money to keep local news afloat.

Rocky Mountain Power 30% rate hike hearing in Casper Thursday

play audio
Play

Monday, October 9, 2023   

The Wyoming Public Service Commission, the agency that regulates utility companies, is holding a public hearing this Thursday in Casper seeking public comments on Rocky Mountain Power's proposal to increase rates by nearly 30%.

Andrew Schneider is the operations director for the The Wyoming Arts Alliance, and serves on the board for the Nicolaysen Art Museum. He said the museum's current utility bill is already equal to the cost of one full-time employee.

"Now if we get this rate increase - close to 30%," said Schneider, "we're in a position, like I would imagine many nonprofits with facilities, of looking at making really hard decisions."

The hearing starts at 5:30 p.m. Thursday at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building.

Rocky Mountain Power's proposal - which also puts customers on the hook for 100% of any fuel cost overruns, and locks in profits above 10% - has produced a wide range of critics and misinformation.

Some lawmakers have claimed, without evidence, that higher rates are due to renewable energy.

Rocky Mountain Power recently sent an email to its customers with documentation hoping to set the record straight. Without new wind resources, for example, rates would have increased an additional 60% in Wyoming.

Schneider explained that the company is not raising rates due to an overload of wind and solar, but because natural gas and coal prices are highly volatile.

"And the facts are that renewables on the grid save tens of millions of dollars for Rocky Mountain Power's ratepayers," said Schneider. "Putting renewables onto Rocky Mountain Power's grid is going to stabilize these prices, and bring the rates down."

The Public Service Commission will accept written comments from ratepayers until October 25.

Schneider encouraged people to bypass the political spin, and make sure that the commission hears how higher rates will impact Wyoming residents.

"People need to get involved while you still have a chance to do that this month," said Schneider. "And folks need to just focus on the way this is going to impact you, and your family, and your businesses, and your community."




get more stories like this via email

more stories
Federal funds will help restore Flint Creek and Jefferson River in Western Montana, benefiting wildlife, including trout, bears and migratory birds. (Melnik/Adobe Stock)

Environment

play sound

During President Joe Biden's final weeks in office, the Interior Department has announced $41 million in support of water resources and ecosystem …


Social Issues

play sound

Mississippi is embracing the future of artificial intelligence with Gov. Tate Reeves' executive order establishing a framework for its responsible …

play sound

More Michigan residents need access to affordable housing and health insurance, according to a lawmaker pushing for change. Rep. Carrie Rheingans…


The CDC says Listeria is the third-leading cause of death from foodborne illness, with about 260 fatalities per year. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

By Grace Hussain for Sentient.Broadcast version by Zamone Perez for Maryland News Connection reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaborat…

Environment

play sound

By Seth Millstein for Sentient.Broadcast version by Kathryn Carley for Maine News Service reporting for the Sentient-Public News Service Collaboration…

Leading up to Donald Trump's first inauguration, the Women's March 2017 represented the largest single-day protest in U.S. history. Similar marches are planned before Trump is sworn in as president a second time. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

In Minnesota and Washington, D.C., marches will take place this weekend as President-elect Donald Trump nears the start of his second term. An …

Environment

play sound

The future looks promising for green energy and manufacturing in Appalachia, and states like West Virginia are slated to receive around $1 billion in …

Social Issues

play sound

Gov. Brian Kemp delivered his 2025 State of the State address Thursday, emphasizing tax cuts and tort reform as key priorities for Georgia. Kemp …

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021