Pollution control equipment to be installed at a Montana power plant could mean higher electric rates for North Dakotans who are customers of Montana-Dakota Utilities.
MDU owns the Lewis and Clark coal plant in Montana. To meet EPA guidelines, MDU will have to spend nearly 28 million dollars to add pollution control equipment to the plant. And under the proposal, North Dakota customers will see their electric bills rise $1.40 a month.
"As we get rule making coming down from the EPA, it ends up trickling down to customers," said North Dakota Public Service Commission Chairman Brian Kalk. "It's where the rubber meets the road -- the costs are identified for the projects, the projects then get paid for by ratepayer dollars."
The PSC is planning to hold a hearing on MDU’s plan.
