Rocky Mountain Power Rate Hike: How the 20% Increase Could Impact Your Monthly Bill in 2025

Rocky Mountain Power customers across Utah, Wyoming and Idaho are bracing for higher electric bills after regulators flatly rejected the utility’s request to reconsider this year’s controversial increase. On 9 July 2025 the Utah Public Service Commission called the company’s rehearing plea “offensive,” leaving intact an average 4.7 % residential rate hike that took effect in May. The decision caps months of legal sparring that began when Rocky Mountain Power, a division of PacifiCorp, sought an 18 % boost to cover rising fuel and wildfire-mitigation costs. Commissioners pared that proposal down but the utility argued the cut jeopardized grid reliability. With the door now closed at the commission, company attorneys are signaling they may take the fight to the Utah Supreme Court, where lawmakers and consumer advocates are already watching the docket for a possible landmark ruling on how much leeway regulators must give investor-owned utilities. What the rate hike means for monthly bills • A typical household using 800 kWh will pay about $6 more each month in Utah; impacts vary slightly in Wyoming and Idaho due to different tariff structures. • Seasonal high-usage customers—especially those running central air during the Intermountain West’s triple-digit summers—could feel a steeper pinch. • Additional surcharges tied to wildfire hardening and renewable-energy investments may appear later this year if separate dockets advance. How to lower costs while temperatures soar Rocky Mountain Power encourages customers to join its Time-of-Day pricing pilot or sign up for the “EV Driver Road-Trip” promotion that offers off-peak charging credits through Labor Day. Energy-efficiency rebates for smart thermostats, heat-pump water heaters and whole-home insulation remain available, and the utility’s Wattsmart Marketplace lists instant discounts on LED lighting. Wildfire shutoff season is here Alongside rate tension, residents must prepare for possible Public Safety Power Shutoffs (PSPS). Forecasts of red-flag winds already prompted Rocky Mountain Power to warn nearly 20,000 customers of proactive outages in late June. Customers in high-risk zones should keep mobile devices charged, maintain backup battery supplies for medical equipment, and enroll in the company’s text alert system. What happens next • Stakeholders expect Rocky Mountain Power to file a notice of appeal within 30 days; the Supreme Court could rule by early 2026. • The utility’s general rate case for 2026 is scheduled to be filed this fall, potentially stacking new increases on top of the current adjustment. • Legislators on Capitol Hill are drafting a study resolution to examine alternative oversight models, including performance-based regulation and greater integration of rooftop solar credits. Bottom line For the 1.2 million customers who rely on Rocky Mountain Power, the summertime squeeze is real. Start cutting usage now, monitor forthcoming court briefs, and watch for additional commission hearings. Staying informed—and proactive—will be key to keeping both lights and budgets under control as the debate over Rocky Mountain Power’s rates shifts from regulatory chambers to the state’s highest court.