Jan. 16, 2001--
(Salt Lake City-AP) -- California's power troubles may end up costing Utah residents as much as 100 dollars a year in higher electricity bills.
Utah Power has asked for a 142 million-dollar rate increase because the cost of wholesale electricity has been driven up by demand from California utilities.
Utah Power's parent company, Scottish Power, said yesterday that higher demand in Utah also has contributed to higher power costs.
Since the 1980s many utilities, Utah Power included, have bought electricity on the open market rather than building new plants. Prices were low until demand for power, particularly in California, outstripped supply, Utah Power spokesman David Eskelsen said.
Consumer and other groups said they will challenge the full increase.
(Copyright 2001 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
