In a recent My Turn column, Ms. Waring made statements and assumptions about Hydro One’s acquisition of Avista, and implications of this to AEL&P, that simply aren’t true. We’d like to correct the misinformation and provide you with the facts.
1. Hydro One’s acquisition of AEL&P’s parent company, Avista, will not negatively affect AEL&P’s rates. AEL&P is regulated by the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. Alaska law and the Regulatory Commission of Alaska’s rate investigation precedent prohibit AEL&P from charging rates that would subsidize Hydro One’s customers.
2. AEL&P’s net income is a small percentage of Avista’s net income, and it will be an even smaller percentage of Hydro One’s net income. Additionally, AEL&P uses its earnings to invest in the electrical system in Juneau.
3. The figure cited by Ms. Waring as AEL&P’s net income last year was actually the amount that AEL&P invested into electrical infrastructure. That $15 million, which was spent on facilities to serve our customers, was almost twice the amount of our net income. In fact, in the last 12 years, AEL&P has invested nearly twice its earnings into infrastructure.
4. AEL&P has the lowest regulated rates in the state, and that is no accident. Over our 124-year history, AEL&P has worked hard to keep the cost of electricity affordable. AEL&P’s rates are below the national average, and how many items in Juneau can you say that about?
We are proud of AEL&P’s 124-year history. Many of us are lifelong members of this community, and all of us at AEL&P dedicate ourselves to providing responsible, reliable, and renewable service to Juneau.
We encourage folks who have questions or concerns to give us a call. We are happy to talk with you.
Connie Hulbert is a Juneau resident and is President and General Manager of AEL&P. She can be reached at 780-2222.
