Thousands of Wyoming businesses see higher bills

Rocky Mountain Power demand charges are raising Wyoming electricity bills, adding fees tied to peak demand and infrastructure upgrades, impacting hotels and small businesses; regulators urge energy audits and efficiency to manage rates and costs.

A change in how Rocky Mountain Power calculates electricity bills means higher utility costs for thousands of businesses in Wyoming.

Forest Wakefield, who runs the Log Cabin Motel in Pinedale with his wife, said, amid debate over a Wyoming energy bill that could affect utilities, the change has resulted in their motel's power bill going up two to three times what it was last year.

The Wakefields said they're worried this winter's electric bills, as outrageous heating bills are reported elsewhere, will force them to close the motel until spring.

The billing change assesses additional fees on certain customers with higher power demands.

About 6,500 of Rocky Mountain Power's nearly 130,000 customers in Wyoming were affected by the new formula, as business leaders ponder the energy future across Wyoming communities, according to Chris Petrie, secretary and chief counsel for the Wyoming Public Service Commission.

Rocky Mountain Power spokesman David Eskelsen said the change was needed, citing a case for higher rates to help pay for millions of dollars in new power generators and infrastructure.

Eskelsen acknowledged that some Wyoming power customers have seen "dramatic" changes in their power bills, noting a Utah rate ultimatum reported regionally, but he said Rocky Mountain Power is working to help them find ways to lower their electricity usage.

In the Wakefields' case, conducting an energy audit might help the couple find ways to lower their energy usage, Petrie said.

But Wakefield said that's not practical for a motel.

"If you're running a hotel, you should tell your clients to not take a shower or use the water heater?" Wakefield said.

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