Less than a month after state regulators approved Xcel Energy’s request for an electric rate hike, the utility is asking for a $41.5 million increase in natural gas rates.
The increase would boost the average residential bill during peak months by about $2.93, based on the average usage in the month of December, said Xcel spokesman Tom Henley.
Throughout the year, the increase to the average residential bill would be about $2.10, raising average bills to $65.06 per month.
The company filed the request with the Colorado Public Utility Commission today. The commission, which must approve the increase, is unlikely to hear the request before June, said PUC spokesman Terry Bote.
On Nov. 20, the commission approved an electric rate hike that will raise Xcel’s bills by an average of $4.34 a month.
“We understand there is no good time for a rate case but the natural gas and electric business are separate and distinct. Most likely this (gas increase) won’t take effect until summer,” Henley said.
