The Public Service Commission has agreed to delay the formal hearings into MDU’s request for a natural gas rate increase.
The original hearing was scheduled to start February 28th. It is now scheduled to begin May 30th.
MDU has asked for a 5.4 percent rate increase – and that would bump up the average customer’s monthly gas bill by just under $3 a month.
The utility asked for the delay, as it figures out how the new federal tax cuts factor into that rate.
"I would like to see a considerable portion of this go back to customers," said Commissioner Brian Kroshus. "And that should be reflected in the rate structure."
Kroshus said there could be other potential considerations. He said the companies would have to make their case for those other uses.
"Will it go to future infrastructure projects, or to strengthen pipelines and transmission lines?" Kroshus said. "That's a case they'll have to make."