The Public Service Commission will hold a formal hearing on a large electric rate case filed by Xcel Energy.
The full rate case asks for $44.6 million from Xcel’s 97,000 North Dakota customers.
"This is a very large increase — I think the largest increase this commission has seen in an electric rate case," said Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart.
The Commission had already okayed an interim rate increase of 11.88 percent, which raised the average electric bill by $11.36. The full request would add another 7.46 percent, or $10.98 to that bill.
"I just want to emphasize what they say are the primary drivers," Haugen-Hoffart said. "Capital investments in electric generation, transmission and distribution system increased operation and maintenance expenses, and increased depreciation."
The hearing begins December 1.
