We all want to see a move to an oil and coal free future. Here’s an article calling out the costs. If you are in favor of the move, you will need to pay more. But in the long run, this will force people to either move to tidal or solar/wind on their homes, or in community electricity farms, and continue the move to more energy efficiency. We are facing a very uncertain future, and it’s the cost of getting there.
State utility regulators issued an investigation report Monday recommending Puget Sound Energy include the costs of closing its two older coal-fired electric generating plants in Colstrip, Mont. in the company’s next rate case. Colstrip plume 2_1The staff of the Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission found that, based on information provided by PSE, current rates aren’t enough to recover the costs of retiring the plant and conducting environmental remediation. PSE has estimated that costs of closure for Colstrip 1 and 2 will range from about $65 to $100 million. The costs are expected to increase the longer the plants continue to operate. Including these costs in a rate case will allow commission staff and interested parties to evaluate the estimates and make recommendations to the commission in order to mitigate the impact on PSE’s ratepayers, the commission said. The company is required to file a general rate case by April 1. Rita Robison reports. (SeattlePI.Com)
Filed under: Puget Sound | Tagged: coal, Puget Sound | Comments Off on State regulators recommend costs of closing Colstrip 1 and 2 be included in rate case – Seattle PI
