MEA board approves rate decrease

Matanuska Electric Association’s board of directors voted Monday to authorize a decrease of 1 percent in base rates, effective the first quarter of 2012.

The average MEA consumer uses about 700 kilowatt hours of electricity per month, the electricity cooperative reports.

“These consumers can expect to see a monthly decrease of about 71 cents as a result of the base rate decrease,” said spokesperson Cheryll Heinze.

Under the terms of rules set by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska, MEA is allowed on a quarterly basis to file for limited increases or decreases in base rates, provided the adjustments stay within certain financial parameters established by the RCA.

The rate filing is based on the test year ending Sept. 30, 2011, and will take effect during the first week of January 2012, pending approval by the RCA.