The American Samoa Power Authority is undercharging for the services it provides according to a rate study by an independent consultant from off island conduced in 2019.
The Acting CEO of ASPA Wallon Young revealed the findings of the rate study when answering questions from the Chairman of the House Budget and Appropriations Committee, Rep Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi at a hearing Monday.
Vailiuama pointed out that while fuel prices have dropped 22%, this hasn’t been reflected in customers’ power bills. He said yes there’s been a drop in the electric rate but any savings are eaten up by the increase in ASPA’s water and waste water charges.
The Acting CEO explained that 20 months ago ASPA was charging 35.2 cents per kilowatt hours.
Next month the rate will be 28 cents per kilowatt hour, a drop of 20%.
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Young said ASPA can only charge what it costs to provide electricity and one of the reasons why it’s pushing for the photovoltaic or solar farm near the Veterans Memorial Stadium is to bring electricity costs down.
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Yesterday the Senate rejected the 17 year lease extension between ASG and the developers of the solar farm, Malosi LLC. An existing lease that is one day short of ten years, the maximum lease term allowed without Fono approval, expires in 2030.
