MidAmerican customers likely to see higher summer bills

Iowans will likely see their electric bills bump higher, beginning this month, thanks to increased summer use and a rate increase that was approved last year.

MidAmerican Energy is notifying customers their bills will likely climb during the summer months — June, July, August and September — as Iowans crank their air conditioners up to cool off, pushing higher the amount of power the Des Moines-based utility must generate, it said.

“Summer rates are higher because our cost to produce electricity increases ... as demand increases,” said Ruth Comer, MidAmerican Energy’s spokeswoman.

At the same time, MidAmerican Energy got permission in 2014 to increase its base rate by $135.5 million, phased in over three years. This year, it will result in an annual average increase of 3.5 percent.

Last year’s 3.6 percent annual average increase didn’t become effective until September, tempering the summer impact, Comer said. Next year, the average annual increase will be 3.3 percent.

Consumers can get an estimate on this summer’s bills, as well as information on budget billing, by contacting MidAmerican Energy at 888-427-5632. Customers also can get information about increasing energy efficiency — and reducing their demand — at midamericanenergy.com.