State grants PSE small increases in electric, gas rates | Business

State regulators have decided to allow Puget Sound Energy to implement small rate increases beginning next week.

The Washington Utilities and Transportation Commission announced the approval of the increases on Friday.  The decision will allow PSE to raise electric rates by 2.8 percent and natural gas rates by 0.8 percent.  The new rates will kick in on Wednesday.  PSE's basic charge for electric service will also go up a quarter to $7.25 a month.  The basic charge for natural gas service will remain the same, at $10 a month.

The increases were much lower than what PSE asked for.  The utility had requested a in crease of 7.4 percent for electric rates and 2.2 percent on gas rates. 

The UTC received 630 comments about the proposed rate increases, with 606 against the increases, five in favor and 19 undecided.  They also heard from the Attorney General's office, environmental groups and ratepayer advocacy groups.