MDU and Great Plains Natural Gas customers will see higher monthly bills, because of the settlement of natural gas rate cases.
The utilities were granted interim rates, while the cases were pending.
Public Service Commissioner Brian Kroshus said for MDU, this brings the monthly increase for an average homeowner to $4.21 per month. For Great Plains customers in the city of Wahpeton, it's $3.62 per month for the average customer.
Kroshus said the reason for the rate case was to replace some aging natural gas pipelines.
"Our job as regulators is to balance system safety with cost," Kroshus said. "We want to keep the delivery of natural gas to customers in North Dakota as low as possible, but at the same time insuring that the gas arrives at each household in a safe and efficient manner."
The increases will take effect once the utilities file the paperwork.
Great Plains is a subsidiary of MDU.
