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Beauregard Electric Co-Op requesting the increase in rate

Beauregard Electric Co-Op requesting the increase in rate

DeridDed, the. (KPLC) – Monthly invoices could be climbing for Beauregard Electric Co -op (bike) customers, since the company requests an increase in rates.

On January 16, Beci formally presented a application with the Louisian Public Service Commission to approve an increase in rates.

Beauregard members come from seven parishes in southwest Louisiana and include 44,000 electrical accounts with residential and companies.

The Pam Archer member says he ran into a legal announcement in her local newspaper and was surprised to read that Beci was asking for an increase in rates.

“At the beginning, it was completely against its increase in rates because they have had several incidents last year that makes us question their reliability, their operations,” said Archer. “But I saw in their presentation that they have not had an increase in the rate since 2013.”

Those who want to formally participate in the process as a controller must do so at 4:30 pm on Monday, February 3.

According to presentations, BECI considers a reasonable 7% increase to continue reliable service and quality customer service.

District Public Service Commissioner No. 4, Mike Francis, says he thinks the increase is necessary.

“My experience is that it has been one of the best cooperatives. We have 10 cooperatives in Louisiana and qualify Beauregard for doing a good job, ”said Francis.

Francis says that anyone who wants to formally intervene should communicate with the PSC as soon as possible.

“I don’t care if you live in a house of one million dollars or in a trailers house, you have the right to intervene and perhaps protest the increase in the rate or be part of the procedure,” Francis said. “That is the American form.”

An intervention can only be presented in person or by fax at 225-342-0877. To obtain questions about the presentation of an intervention, communicate with the Division of records to 225-342-6017.

According to the PSC Executive Secretary, Colby Cook, if a citizen does not intervene in the file, the only one again would be allowed to speak on the subject in a public environment would be in the business and executive session where it will be a vote held in the application.

“Once the intervention deadline passes, an administrative law judge will issue a date for all parties to meet to adopt a procedural schedule,” Cook said. “The procedure schedule will establish a proposed set of dates for the audience process.

Cook says the commission is still reviewing its investigation.

The Beci Management has said that the proposed cost increase is fair and necessary and will lead to fair and reasonable rates.

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