CASPER (WNE) — Another public meeting on Rocky Mountain Power’s historic rate hike proposals is set for Oct. 12 in Casper. 

Rocky Mountain Power, Wyoming’s largest electric utility, is proposing two rate increases that could bump electricity bills by an average of about 29% for residential customers. One of the increases, which went into effect in July but is still subject to review by the Public Service Commission with a final decision later this year, would bump rates by an average of 7.6%. The other proposed “general rate case” increase would raise rates by another 21.6% on average. 

The two rate hikes, combined, would add $19.72 per month for the typical residential consumer on average, the utility estimates. 

Increased fuel costs, inflation, market volatility, supply chain disruptions, severe weather and drought are some of the factors that are driving the proposed rate hikes, the utility has said.

The historic rate hike proposals are facing considerable opposition across the state. 

At the August rate hike meeting in Casper, community members, lawmakers and organization representatives packed the room at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building and tuned in over Zoom to speak against the increases. 

The Public Service Commission, which is responsible for regulating utilities like Rocky Mountain Power, has held similarly well-attended meetings on the rate hikes in other communities across the state. 

Members of the public can attend the Oct. 12 meeting in person, over Zoom or by telephone. 

The meeting will start at 5:30 p.m. at the Thyra Thomson State Office Building in room 3024. 

People can join the meeting virtually by Zoom at https://us02web.zoom. us/j/9933449233 or by dialing 1-669-900- 9128 or 1-253-215-8782 (Meeting ID: 993 344 9233). Members of the public can also submit written comments at any time to the Public Service Commission by emailing wpsc_comments@ wyo.gov.