Entergy Arkansas wants approval of a more than $83 million rate hike that would raise average utility bills for customers by another $5 a month.
It represents a 4.25% increase but the utility’s fourth consecutive annual increase has run into opposition from Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin. He calls the increase “artificially inflated” accused the company of artificially exaggerating its storm-recovery cost projects, according to a report by Arkansas Business. Griffin contends Entergy has a current 99.94% reliability rate, so why would it need storm recovery costs added to the rate hike.
Entergy, in its request, explained it anticipates an increase in demand as well as the threat of more severe storms to hit its service area.
The Arkansas Public Service Commission has until Dec. 13 to decide on Entergy’s rate hike request.