Energy Bills May Increase | Video

Rene Thibault | 12/20/2012

Xcel Energy customers will have to shell out a few more bucks for their monthly bills in the near future.

The energy company has asked the North Dakota Public Service Commission to authorize an increase in their base electric rates. Xcel is asking for an overall increase of $16.9 Million Dollars. That money would be put towards the upkeep of their two nuclear power plants, and upgrades to their Upper-Midwest transmission system.

As part of their filing, Xcel wants to put in place an interim rate, that would add seven dollars to a customer`s monthly bill, “The interim rates would be effective February 16th, which would be 8.6% to a typical residential customer. If the interim rates that were collected would exceed the final rate order, then we would reimburse those consumers the difference plus interest”, added Cathy Aas, of Xcel Energy.

Public hearings will be held in the spring of next year, and if passed, the new rates will take effect the fall of 2013.

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