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PSC sets public input sessions on MDU, Xcel rate increases

Dave Thompson
/
Prairie Public

The Public Service Commission has scheduled public input sessions for rate increases being sought by two investor-owned utilities.

MDU is seeking a natural gas rate increase, while XCEL Energy has filed for higher electric rates.

MDU wants a rate increase of $6.26 for a normal household on their gas bill. XCEL has sought a 10.8% electric rate increase.

Commissioner Brian Kroshus said the hearings will be held remotely – and the public can view them or phone in to hear them. He said the MDU public input sessions will be held March 2nd, at 12 noon and 5:30 pm Central time, while the XCEL hearings will be held March 4th at Noon and 5:30 pm. That’s before the technical hearings.

"They're very helpful," Kroshus said. "Hearing from the public, their concerns, can certainly generate elated questions from  the Commission."

The MDU technical hearing will be held March 17th. The XCEL hearing has not yet been scheduled.

Kroshus said the PSC is setting aside 2 ½ days for MDU – but the XCEL hearing could be longer.

"I would expect the XCEL hearing to be a lengthy process," Kroshus said. "It's a very aggressive ask, and an aggressive ask is going to be met with challenges -- as they all would."

AARP has intervened in the MDU gas case. No one has formally intervened yet in the XCEL case.

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