Xcel Energy reduces Minn. rate hike request
Xcel reduces Minn. rate hike request to 8.2 percent; agency had criticized initial request
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) -- Xcel Energy Inc. has reduced its proposed Minnesota electric rate increase.
The Minneapolis-based utility said Monday it lowered its proposed rate increase to 8.2 percent. Xcel proposed a rate hike of 10.7 percent in November.
Xcel Energy cites changed circumstances since its original request. The revised proposals reduce the utility's requested rate increase to about $220 million, down from $285 million.
Minnesota officials had urged state regulators to slash Xcel Energy's original request, citing "rate shock" among customers. The state Commerce Department recommended a smaller rate hike of about 3 percent to 4 percent.
Judy Poferl, president and CEO of Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota, an Xcel Energy company, says the revised request allows the utility to make upgrades while reducing the size of the requested increase for customers.