South Dakota’s PUC OKs Xcel Energy 4 Percent Rate Hike

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) — Xcel Energy customers in South Dakota will see a 4 percent increase in their electric bills starting July 1.

The state's Public Utilities Commission on Monday approved the rake hike for the Minneapolis-based company. The allowed increase is half of what Xcel had requested.

The company implemented an interim rate increase of 8 percent in January while it waited for the commission's decision. Xcel will refund to customers the difference between the interim rate and the final approved rate, with interest, no later than Aug. 1.

The approved change means the average residential customer will see an increase of about $4.25 a month. The rate increase will allow Xcel to generate about $7.8 million in additional annual revenues.

Xcel Energy has approximately 85,000 customers in South Dakota.

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