Pasadena Electricity Rate Increased 11%

Electricity rates for Pasadena residents will increase by more than 11.28% after the City Council on Monday gave final approval to the increase to pay off the city-owned utility’s debt.

The increase will go into effect in mid-December. The council’s action ratifies a decision last week to opt for a rate increase to help pay off the utility’s $156 million in debt by 2002. That year, customers will be able to choose power from any provider. Large commercial customers will see their rates increase about 14% in mid-December.

Council members argued for more than an hour over details of the rate change before approving it by a 4-1 vote, with Joyce Streator and William Paparian absent.

Councilwoman Ann Marie Villicana, the lone dissenter, said she opposed any increase. To pay off the debt, she said, she favored eliminating the annual transfer of about $6 million in profits from the utility to City Hall and making other cuts.

The average Pasadena household using 500 kilowatts a month will see its bill increase $5.62 per month.