Xcel’s Coal Exit an Issue in North Dakota Electric Rate Case

(Photo by Jeff Beach/North Dakota Monitor)

(North Dakota Monitor) – Xcel Energy customers in North Dakota are facing an unusually large increase in their electric bill, which a North Dakota official attributes in large part to the company’s move away from coal.

Northern States Power Co., part of Minnesota-based Xcel Energy, has asked the North Dakota Public Service Commission to approve a rate increase of more than 19%. Customers will have a chance to sound off with utility regulators next week.

If the PSC approves the full increase, an average NSP residential customer would pay an extra $22.34 per month over last year’s rate. NSP customers have already seen an interim rate increase this year while the rate case is pending. The increase was nearly 12%, or $11.36 per average residential customer.

Victor Schock, director of utilities for the PSC, said it would be unusual for the three-person commission to approve such a large rate increase request in full. What is more likely is a negotiated compromise, he said.