The cost of electricity is going up once again across the province.

The Public Utilities Board approved a 3.6% rate hike for Manitoba Hydro, effective June 1st. The increase is less than the 7.9% that was requested.

Hydro had also requested a 7.9% increase last year, though the P.U.B. only approved a 3.336% percent increase for 2017.

Despite having approved higher rates, the P.U.B. says that they are concerned about bill affordability, and have made multiple recommendations to the Province, including the development of a bill affordability program to assist lower-income customers (with a portion of the funds for the program coming from Keeyask-generated revenue) and transferring carbon tax revenue to Hydro to lower future raises.

The Public Utilities Board, who recently approved an increase in water rates for the City of Thompson, said that they are also recommending that the Province suspend the collection of around $900M in revenue from the Bipole III project over the next 13 years. They say that the money, which represents the approximate cost of location the transmission line, should not be the responsibility of Manitoba Hydro ratepayers. 

Manitoba Hydro President and CEO Kelvin Shepherd said that without more rate hikes, the debt of the Crown Corporation will continue to increase.

The P.U.B. is inviting the public, specifically ratepayers, to share their view on the recent decision through an online form which can be found here.

More information on the decision, including Hydro's proposal, can be found here.