UPPCO Asking for Electric Rate Hike

UPPCO customers may soon see higher electric bills.

UPPCO has filed papers with the Michigan Public Service Commission, asking for permission to raise its electric rates by 16.8%.

If approved, an average UPPCO customer would see an increase of close to $17 per month.

Typical customers in Iron River would see an increase of about $19.

The company says the major factors in the need for the increase are inflation and an increased cost of monthly meter-reading.

If the Michigan Public Service Commission doesn’t consider the rate request by the end of 2010, UPPCO will implement new rates itself starting on New Year’s Day.

UPPCO says it’ll send more information about the request for higher rates in the mail along with customers’ August bills.