ratepayer

noun

rate·​pay·​er ˈrāt-ˌpā-ər 

1

British : taxpayer

2

: one who pays for a utility service and especially electricity according to established rates

Examples of ratepayer in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Late last year, officials in Connecticut took a pass on entering into any new purchase agreements with offshore wind projects, a move that was widely seen as bowing to public pressure over the potential costs for ratepayers. —John Moritz, Hartford Courant, 31 Jan. 2025

Cal Advocates, the body responsible for advocating for ratepayers before the commission, often pushes back against these, requesting lower shareholder rates. —Calmatters, The Mercury News, 30 Jan. 2025

As a result, ratepayers no longer have an advocate in maintaining affordable rates if the matter conflicts with advancing the Democrats’ green energy agenda. —Steve Hershey, Baltimore Sun, 30 Jan. 2025

At its meeting Thursday, the California Public Utilities Commission will consider Edison’s request to pass on to its ratepayers $1.6 billion in damages from the 2017 Thomas wildfire in Santa Barbara and Ventura counties, one of the largest fires in state history. —Melody Petersen, Los Angeles Times, 29 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1845, in the meaning defined at sense 1