(St. Paul, MN) — Xcel Energy customers in Minnesota will be paying higher rates in the new year. Xcel has asked the Public Utilities Commission to approve a two-year rate increase that would total almost 500-million dollars. Xcel customers will pay an interim rate increase of five-point-two percent while the PUC reviews that request. The interim increase went into effect yesterday. Xcel customers will get a credit on their bills if the commission approves an increase that’s lower than the interim rate. The PUC doesn’t have to make a final decision until the middle of next year.
