Wyoming
RMP: $116M Electricity Rate Hike For Wyoming Due To Inflation, Coal Disruptions
LARAMIE — Dick Garlish, who was named president of Rocky Mountain Power (RMP) nearly two weeks ago, said on the sidelines of a Laramie event Tuesday that his utility’s latest request for rate hikes in Wyoming are being driven by inflation, disruptions in its market caused by a Utah coal mine fire and higher coal transportation costs.
RMP wants a Wyoming regulatory agency to permit the utility to raise electricity rates by a combined $116.3 million, or 16.5%, on all of Wyoming’s 144,511 customers. That decision could come as early as this spring.
That’s in addition to an 8.3% increase that went into effect Jan 1. The company had initially requested more than 21%.
Garlish told Cowboy State Daily at Tuesday’s informational workshop to explain to customers why his utility has requested a double-digit rate hike that inflation is the “biggest factor.”
Inflation had hit as high as 9% in June 2022, before falling to 3.4% for the year period ending in April 2024, the Labor Department announced Wednesday.
Other RMP workshops are planned in Rawlins for Wednesday, Riverton on Thursday, Rock Springs on Friday and Cody on May 28.
In the brief interview with Cowboy State Daily, Garlish likened the rate hike request submitted to the Wyoming Public Service Commission in April to what can happen with a mortgage.
“Simply, one way to think about it is a mortgage, where there is an escrow account to hold taxes and insurance, and it goes up and down based on the value of the land,” Garlish said.
The same metaphorical example has happened with electricity costs, as they fluctuated based on factors such as supply and demand of coal, and taking on more expensive coal supply contracts for some power plants because of unexpected mine closures in Utah last year.
It’s All In The Formula
RMP, which is owned by the Berkshire Hathaway-backed PacifiCorp based in Portland, Oregon, has stated that the requested rate increases are calculated as part of their annual true-up of fuel costs.
These true-ups are based on a complicated formula involving what the company pays for fuel to burn in power plants, and what they are permitted by regulators to charge customers. The fuel prices fluctuate on an annual basis, which is why utility bills can rise or fall.
Besides inflation impacting the cost of doing business, Garlish said that the rate hike is attributed to coal and fuel supply chain disruptions.
Historically low coal inventories prompted many utilities, including RMP, to increase natural gas generation and buy more wholesale electricity while restocking depleted coal inventories.
In many coal basins nationally, coal pricing more than doubled in 2022 and remained high into 2023.
This effect on coal pricing was made worse by the war in Ukraine, when many U.S. mines, including those in Utah and Colorado, rushed to take advantage of high coal prices by exporting coal to Europe.
The depleted coal supplies worsened when the Lila Canyon underground mine near Price, Utah, which is operated by Emery County Coal Resources, a unit of American Consolidated Natural Resources, suffered a fire in September 2022, according to Garlish.
The mine, which has been unable to recover from the fire, laid off the workforce earlier this year.
In 2021, Lila Canyon produced nearly 3.5 million tons. Most of the coal was consumed by the Hunter and Huntington power plants in Utah, Garlish said.
Power Savings
Hank Kobulnick, a former pilot with United Airlines who moved from Chicago to Laramie to be closer to family, attended the workshop to see if RMP could offer any electricity savings for his church, United Presbyterian.
“We put in a new furnace and LED lights,” said Kobulnick, who said RMP helped defray some of the costs in making these purchases. “I’m just looking for ways to save on energy costs.
“If rates go up, I understand why, but there are ways to cut down on the bills.”
He’s considering the purchase of motion detectors that turn off lights in the church as another way to save on power bills.
Ronnie Zimmerman, an engineer with RMP’s Wattsmart business program, said churches, small restaurants, schools and hotels are prime targets for his program to save on power bills and avoid rising costs.
“RMP will help with LEDs and subsidies,” said Zimmerman, pointing to customers who receive discounts through bulb purchases at Home Depot and Lowes home improvement stores that RMP helps with.
“People should care about these programs because everyone is feeling pinched,” he said. “To reduce electricity usage means to keep your bill flat.”
RMP’s latest rate hike comes on the heels of a controversial rate case last year when RMP wanted to boost everyone’s power bills by nearly 30%. Through litigation between the PSC and RMP, and following angry public hearings throughout the state, the rate increase was whittled to 8.3%, giving RMP $53.9 million.
The 8.3% increase last year, which went into effect at the beginning of 2024, came in a general rate case — which happens every few years.
The hike request filed in April is the standard energy cost adjustment that RMP does annually.
In this case, RMP wants to raise monthly power bills across the Cowboy State by 12.3%, or about $86.4 million for residential, commercial and industrial customers. The other 4.2% would be realized through a tax benefit.
On average, residential customers will see their monthly bills rise 9.3%, or about $12 per month on their utility bill if the whole increase is approved.
Hidden Costs
There are typically many complicated factors involved in determining electricity bills.
The rate hike RMP announced in April is an annual cost adjustment, which is subject to review by the PSC.
The general rate increase is different than the annual energy cost adjustment that RMP wants to recover from all customer classes beginning in July.
There are other cost pressures hitting the bills of RMP’s customers.
For instance, the 12.3% increase doesn’t include a key tax benefit that effectively lowers a customer’s bill.
That tax benefit for electricity customers contained in the Tax Cut and Jobs Act of 2017 goes away beginning July 1.
Over the past three years, customer bills included the tax benefit totaling nearly $85 million. It’ll have the effect of adding another 4.2%, or $29.9 million, to everyone’s utility bills once the tax benefit goes away.
Between the annual energy cost adjustment and the tax benefit going away, a typical residential customer using 700 kilowatt-hours of electricity per month would see their monthly bill rise $16.
Garlish told Cowboy State Daily that RMP had wanted to spread out the tax benefits for Wyoming customers over a much longer period so that it could minimize the financial disruption caused by the $85 million subsidy over a three-year period.
Before joining PacifiCorp in 2020, Garlish served as senior vice president and general counsel at Peak Reliability, a Washington-based firm that worked on reliability services and markets in the U.S. West.
Earlier in his career, he held several senior positions at Boise-based Idaho Power Co., including senior counsel, director and general manager.
Garlish also served as senior corporate counsel at Sioux Falls, South Dakota-based NorthWestern Energy Group Inc.
Overall, Garlish oversees an RMP territory of more than 1.2 million customers throughout the Cowboy State, Idaho and Utah.
Pat Maio can be reached at pat@cowboystatedaily.com.
A pristine trail town tucked into the breathtaking beauty of western Wyoming, Dubois puts the ‘wild’ in the Wild West. Just 55 miles from Yellowstone National Park and located in the Wind River, Owl Creek, and Absaroka mountain ranges, the town is a welcoming alpine community with stunning views from every street. From enjoying the fresh powder on the winter slopes to hiking, biking, or riding through the wildflower-covered peaks in the summer, Dubois is a year-round destination that offers adventure in every season. In addition to its serene location, Dubois is a vibrant town with lots on the menu from fine dining to lively western-style saloons.
The History of Dubois
The Wind River Valley remained sparsely populated until the late 1800s, when pioneering homesteaders established the first settlements, initiating a small yet lively community. While fur traders, explorers, and some Native American tribes were familiar with the area, it was the arrival of homesteaders that helped shape its identity. This led to the emergence of a town, supported by the expansion of cattle and sheep ranching.
Dubois was officially incorporated in 1914 and grew over the years, benefiting from its logging, farming, and tourism sectors. Today, with a population of 778 as of the 2022 census, Dubois remains true to its Western heritage, offering visitors an authentic cowboy experience.
Things to Do in Dubois
Get that cowboy experience at one of the oldest guest ranches in the country, the CM Ranch which opened in 1927. It doesn’t matter whether you are an experienced rider, or never been on a horse, the experienced staff at this busy dude ranch will show you the ropes. Guests can choose their own adventure, from riding trails through desert badlands and mountain highlands to fly fishing in the backcountry.
Dubois is located in mountain country, possibly the only place where you can observe three distinct types of mountains: those formed by glaciers, volcano-created peaks, and ranges caused by shifting underground plates. It is a haven and playground for nature lovers. If you prefer walking over riding, numerous local guides are available to help you explore the trails and enjoy the best vistas. For those who prefer to go alone, the Bonneville Pass Trail offers a scenic climb through valley meadows, while the Five Pockets Trail provides spectacular views of Horse Creek with the Absaroka Mountains as a backdrop.
Look out for ancient carvings while you are exploring; Wyoming is home to stunning examples of rock art. In the Wind River Range, you will find the Torrey Lake Petroglyph District, which includes around 175 well-preserved petroglyphs. For more information on where to see the best pictograms or find accessible trails, speak to the staff at the Dubois Museum. This specialty museum traces the geology of the area, its early inhabitants, and its history of homesteading. They also offer custom guided tours of petroglyphs, native sheep trap and buffalo drive sites, and more.
Dubois is a favorite spot for anglers, featuring pristine lakes, streams, and rivers teeming with fish like rainbow trout, brook trout, and cutthroat trout. Try casting your line at Torrey Creek. The waters aren’t just for fishing; you can also enjoy kayaking or canoeing, or relax with a float trip guided by Wind River Float Trips.
In winter, the country is even more beautiful, and there are still lots of ways to enjoy it. Go ice-fishing, take a dog-sled ride through the snowy wonderland, or try cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Downtown Dubois
Many Wild West legends have strolled through Dubois, including the infamous outlaw Butch Cassidy. While things may have changed over time, the town still radiates quirky character and Western charm. After a day outdoors, grab a bite at the Rustic Pine Tavern, open since 1919, or visit the Outlaw Bar and Saloon. Once called the Branding Iron Inn, the Outlaw Bar has remained a beloved Dubois gathering spot for generations.
In the summer months, the town hosts the Dubois Friday Night Rodeo, which runs through June, July, and August. The family-friendly event features Mutton Bustin, Calf Riding, Mini Bull Riding, Pee Wee Barrel Racing, and more.
What Makes Dubois Different
Dubois remains a timeless town nestled amid Wyoming’s towering mountain ranges. This cowboy haven has preserved its natural beauty and charm for centuries, attracting explorers, pioneers, hunters, and adventurers. Visitors can saddle up at a dude ranch, scale mountain peaks, fish or float on glacial rivers, and unwind at the local rodeo—offering an ideal setting for unforgettable experiences and a break from everyday life.
COUNCIL BLUFFS, Iowa — Western Wyoming Community College placed second at the NJCAA Wrestling Championships on Saturday, finishing with 188 team points and producing nine All-Americans, including four national runners-up. Their 188 points are the second-most all-time.
Indian Hills repeated as national champion with 201.5 points, the most points of all time, while Iowa Central finished third with 145.5. Western improved on last year’s third-place finish while sending four wrestlers to the championship round, the most runner-up finishes at the tournament, though the Mustangs were unable to secure an individual national title.
Zach Marrero reached the championship match at 133 pounds after earning a 4-2 decision in the semifinals. In the final, Marrero faced Indian Hills’ Olli Webb. The two were tied 1-1 after three periods before Webb secured a sudden-victory takedown to win 4-1.
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At 165 pounds, Banks Norby advanced to the finals with an 8-7 semifinal decision over Tom Stoll of Northeastern Junior College. Norby then faced Henry Dillingham of Clackamas in the championship match. Dillingham scored seven points in the third period to pull away, and Norby was unable to record a takedown as he finished second.
Banks Love also reached the championship bout at 184 pounds. Love snuck past Asadbek Fayzullaev of Northwest 10-9 in the semifinals. In the final, he fell to Jarrel Miller of Iowa Central 16-9. Love scored seven points in the final period, but Miller also scored nine in the period to secure the win.
At 197 pounds, Trevyn Gates reached the finals after pinning Samuel Montoya of Southeast Nebraska in the semifinals. Gates’ run ended in the championship match when he was pinned in 2:03, giving him a runner-up finish.
Western also had two wrestlers earn third-place finishes.
At 125 pounds, Stockton Allen dropped his semifinal match by technical fall but responded in the consolation bracket. Allen secured third place with a fall in 1:27 over Truth Vesey of Harper.
Green River’s Tommy Dalton also placed third at 149 pounds. Dalton lost in the semifinals by fall in 4:22 but rebounded with a 17-6 major decision to reach the third-place match. He then defeated Ayson Rice of Southeast Nebraska 9-3 to earn the bronze.
Francisco Ayala finished fifth at 174 pounds. After dropping into the consolation bracket, Ayala won two of his three matches to reach the fifth-place bout, where he defeated Iowa Western’s Matteo Nikolov 4-2. Trailing 1-0 entering the final period, Ayala secured a takedown with 12 seconds remaining to claim the win.
Dmitri Alarcon placed sixth at 141 pounds. Alarcon lost in the semifinals by fall before dropping a 20-9 decision in the consolation bracket. In the fifth-place match, he led 5-2 after the opening period but gave up a four-point nearfall in the second and fell 6-5.
At 157 pounds, Hixon Canto finished seventh. After advancing through the consolation bracket Friday, Canto lost a 6-4 decision Saturday before taking seventh place by medical forfeit.
Heavyweight Kort Wilkinson saw his tournament end a day earlier. Wilkinson was one point away from the quarterfinals before falling to Cito Tuttle of Rochester 3-2 in double overtime. He won two matches in the consolation bracket before losing a 5-0 decision to Naasir Edmonds, ending his season on the opening day of the tournament.
Western Wyoming’s second-place finish marks an improvement from its third-place result at the 2025 NJCAA Wrestling Championships and caps a season that also included the program’s ninth straight Region 9/Plains District title.
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