Electric rates could be going up more than 4 percent starting Jan. 1 for Liberty Utilities customers.

The company in October asked the California Public Utilities Commission for the $2,174,648 increase. The basis is because of capital projects in excess of $4 million and inflation.

The notice sent to ratepayers, which includes the California side of the basin, Truckee and Alpine county, said, Liberty “seeks recovery of the remaining capital and operating expenses associated with Liberty CalPeco’s acquisition, financing, ownership, operation and maintenance of the Luning Solar Project.”

The 4.07 percent increase includes 1.5 percent for cost of inflation.

— Lake Tahoe News staff report