Fort Richardson water rates could rise 51% under Doyon Utilities proposal

Doyon Utilities filed a proposed water rate increase of nearly 51 percent for Fort Richardson, the largest single percentage change in a package of military utility tariffs now before the Regulatory Commission of Alaska. The annual water revenue requirement for the installation would rise from $1,005,384 to $1,517,158 if the commission approves the filing.

Military families in on-base housing at Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson could see multiple utility bills affected by the package. The JBER wastewater tariff covers Fort Richardson and Fort Richardson Army areas, and Doyon Utilities has also filed a separate water tariff for Fort Richardson, meaning residents in those areas face proposed changes on both services.

Doyon Utilities based the filings on 2025 test year revenue requirement studies. The commission may approve rates that differ from what Doyon proposed.

Doyon Utilities holds 50-year utility privatization contracts for Fort Greely, JBER Richardson, and Fort Wainwright, and serves primarily the Fort Richardson side of the joint base while providing treated water to both the Richardson and Elmendorf portions.

The package of filings covers heat, water, wastewater, and electric services across all three installations. Changes range from a 0.24 percent decrease in Fort Greely heat rates to the 50.90 percent water increase at Fort Richardson. Doyon Utilities has cited infrastructure investment, including a new 7.5-million-gallon-per-day ultrafiltration water treatment plant at Fort Wainwright, as part of the context for its utility costs.

How to Comment

The commission is accepting written public comments through 5 p.m. on July 21. Comments may be filed at the commission's Anchorage office at 701 West Eighth Avenue, Suite 300, or through the commission's website at rca.alaska.gov. Doyon Utilities has requested the new rates take effect August 15.