Pasadena : Electricity Rates Raised

Despite objections from city residents to a proposed electric rate increase, the new power prices were approved by the Board of Directors after a public hearing Tuesday evening and a second vote Wednesday morning.

Under the new rates, a typical single-family home using 400 kilowatt hours of electricity a month would pay $35.42, a $1.96 increase from the current $33.46 charge. A commercial customer using 2,000 kilowatt hours per month and now paying $173.90 would pay $187.15.

The increase, which takes effect Friday, will enable the city-run electric utility to partially fund a two-year, $39.8-million capital improvement program.

Residents who objected called the rate hikes unfair, saying oil prices have been declining and electric rates should decline correspondingly.