BISMARCK, N.D. (NORTH DAKOTA MONITOR) – Natural gas customers of Xcel Energy in North Dakota will see their rates go up more than 10% on April 1.
The North Dakota Public Service Commission on Wednesday approved an interim rate increase while a potentially larger rate increase decision is pending.
The interim increase ups rates by 10.66%, or about $8.42 per month for a typical residential natural gas customer of Northern State Power, part of Minnesota-based Xcel.
Xcel’s natural gas service area in North Dakota includes the cities of Fargo, West Fargo and Grand Forks.
The full rate increase being requested by Xcel is nearly 12% or $10.15 per month for a typical residential customer. The full increase would add $13.76 million to Xcel’s annual revenue.
Commissioner Jill Kringstad said the rate increase application cites costs for things such as investments in gas distribution system, information technology, the vehicle fleet, taxes and “peaking plants” that could turn propane into natural gas at times of peak demand.
No hearings have been scheduled in the rate case.
Xcel’s last natural gas rate increase was approved in 2024.
The three-person PSC earlier this year reached a settlement with Xcel on an electric rate increase.
Xcel Energy also has asked the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to approve an increase in natural gas rates dating back to Jan. 1. The requested increase is about 8.2% or $63.4 million in annual revenue. On average, the proposed final rate change would increase the monthly bill for a typical Minnesota residential electric customer by 8.7% or $7.11, according to Xcel.
Comments