Page One | Page Two | Page Three | HOME VOLUME 12, NUMBER 1 WINTER 2005 Edison Ag Rates to Fall Slightly “Ratchet” Demand Charge Eliminated Southern California Edison, AECA and other parties have asked the CPUC to approve new tariffs and electricity rates for SCE customers as a final settlement has been reached in SCE’s General Rate Case. Agricultural rates will fall slightly, by 0.1%. SCE had originally filed to increase agricultural rates by 5.3%. AECA participated in the negotiations that lead to the adoption of the rate decrease for agricultural customers. Overall, SCE rates will decrease for all customers by an average of 0.3%. In addition to the reduced rates, the specific rate options will be changed as well. The “ratcheted” demand charge will be eliminated. The ratchet charges for the highest demand incurred during any six-month season, regardless of whether or not demand was lower in other months. For example, if a pump was run just once during the winter season at 50 kW demand, the customer would be charged for 50 kW of demand during the other five months, even if the pump was never turned on. Now, demand charges will only be applied for the actual highest demand incurred during any one month, significantly reducing fixed charges for agricultural customers. “We are excited to see these new rates negotiated by AECA,” said Shirley Batchman, Director of Industry Relations for California Citrus Mutual. “Fixed charges will be greatly reduced, and we were able to hold off the proposed rate increase from Edison.” The CPUC is now considering the settlement. If approved on schedule, these new rates should take affect in Spring 2005. Edison Proposed Rates Rate Class CURRENT ¢/kWh SETTLEMENT ¢/kWh Percent Change Residential 12.54 13.01 3.7% Commercial 13.49 13.01 -3.6% Small Industrial 11.09 10.99 -0.9% Medium Industrial 10.53 10.14 -2.0% Large Industrial 7.54 7.49 -0.6% Ag Class 9.38 9.37 -0.1% PA-1 14.39 13.76 -4.7% PA-2 10.23 9.93 -2.6% TOU-AG 8.40 8.57 2.0% TOU-PA-5 8.15 8.31 2.0% System Average 12.21 12.17 -0.3% About AECA | Legislation | CPUC Cases | Newsletter | About Ag Energy | Energy Links | Glossary | HOME Contact the AECA by E-Mail Agricultural Energy Consumers Assocation 925 L Street, Suite 800 / Sacramento, CA 95814 (916) 447-6206 Content and graphics copyright ©2000, Agricultural Energy Consumers Association . HTML and design copyright ©2000, ABC Internet. All rights reserved.