Inuvik (Apr 25/03) - While Beaufort Delta electricity customers voice their displeasure over a proposed rate hike, Yukon customers have had the same rate for six years.

The Association of Municipalities for Fair Power Rates argued before the Public Utilities Board recently that the increase to power rates in the Delta is unfair to customers outside the hydro grid.

Currently, the Northwest Territories Power Corporation has over 200 rates within its service area. Last fall, an application from NTPC outlined the same rate for all customers within the NWT. The GNWT asked the NTPC board of directors to withdraw that application, but they refused and were dismissed by cabinet.

A new application proposing an extension of the community-based rates and a 15 per cent increase was drawn up and is currently before the board.

The association for fair rates argues that the increase will push the average price per kilowatt hour (kWh) to almost 72 cents -- more than triple what Yellowknife customers will pay.

Across the western border, Yukon customers pay the same rate and have not had a general rate increase since 1997, but have recently paid off a 3.81 per cent rate rider that was attached to bills to pay off a loss from the closure of the Faro Mine.

Edward K. Sager, a supervisor with the Yukon Electrical Company Limited, said there are a variety of rates but the residential rate is a flat rate throughout its service area.

Yukon Electric consumers pay a customer charge of $11.90 per month and the energy charge for the first 1,000 kWh is 9.86 cents per kWh. Above that, the price of power differs depending on the community, with 10.45 cents per kWh the lowest rate.

Smaller communities such as Beaver Creek, Pelly Crossing, Construction Bay all pay the same rate as Whitehorse up to 1,000 kWh. Above that, the isolated communities pay 12.36 per kWh.

In Old Crow, one of the most isolated Yukon communities, customers pay the flat rate to 1,000 kWh and 25.77 cents per kwh above the 1,000 kWh subsidy.