GF Xcel gas customers to see rate changes

North Dakota’s Public Service Commission has approved a plan to spread out the costs for Xcel Energy natural gas customers incurred because of price spikes due to a February cold spell in Texas.

Xcel doesn’t make money off the gas. But the utility has filed for a rate increase on bringing the gas to the customer. And the PSC granted an interim rate increase for that, allowed by state law.

To try and lessen the impact on customers, Xcel proposed spreading the gas pass through costs from the original 15 month plan – approved by the PSC in June — to 24 months.

North Dakota customers’ share of those natural gas costs is $32 million.

PSC chairman Julie Fedorchak says that cost, plus continued higher prices for natural gas, and the Xcel rate increase, justify this action to smooth out what the customers are paying.

The Commission vote was 2 to 1. Commissioner Randy Christmann said with the volatility of natural gas prices, it’s too risky.

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Xcel Energy natural gas customers will see their monthly bills go up by an average of $5.60, under the interim rate increase approved by the PSC