ALBANY — The New York State Public Service Commission (Commission) today announced it had set a new one-year rate for the Village of Fairport’s municipal power authority. While the power authority in Monroe County initially sought a one-year rate increase of nearly $1.53 million, the Commission limited the rate increase to just over $1.31 million, $214,810 less the amount requested.
“We have an obligation to ensure utility rates are just and reasonable,” said Commission Chair John B. Rhodes. “After careful review, we were able to find ways to reduce the amount the utility initially wanted, while continuing to ensure that the utility has the revenues it needs to maintain and improve system reliability and public safety.”
The municipal power authority said that it needed the higher rates to help cover increases operation and maintenance expenses and certain capital improvements necessary to provide safe and reliable service. With today’s decision, the monthly bill for a typical residential customer using 750 kilowatt-hours (kWh) per month taking service will increase from $35.83 to $38.15, or 6.5 percent, starting Aug. 1, 2017.
The Village of Fairport is located in Monroe County. The municipal power authority serves approximately 17,000 residential, commercial and industrial customers in the Village and parts of the Town of Perinton. Fairport does not own any generating facilities and all power requirements are served through purchase power agreements with external sources.
Fairport is a member of the New York Municipal Power Association and came under the Commission’s jurisdiction on January 1, 2008 after it started to receive supplemental power from sources other than the New York Power Authority. Fairport’s last rate increase of $302,598, or 1.42 percent, went into effect on July 1, 2016.
Today’s decision may be obtained by going to the Commission Documents section of the Commission’s Web site at www.dps.ny.gov and entering Case Number 17-E-0009 in the input box labeled "Search for Case/Matter Number". Many libraries offer free Internet access. Commission documents may also be obtained from the Commission’s Files Office, 14th floor, Three Empire State Plaza, Albany, NY 12223 (518-474-2500). If you have difficulty understanding English, please call us at 1-800-342-3377 for free language assistance services regarding this press release.
