Xcel Energy proposes rate hike

Описание: Xcel Energy is requesting a rate increase, in part, to offset the cost of providing energy that's more environmentally friendly. But at a public hearing Monday in Brooklyn Center, people opposed to the hike said their bills were high enough and were more concerned about their ability to make ends-meet.

"I'm sure they're a profitable organization," said Regina Tarver, a senior from Minneapolis. "And I think they can take that profit and feed it right back in and do all the improvements that they'd like. I'd like them to be efficient also, but I think they can be efficient with their own money, not mine."

Several dozen people, many of them seniors on a fixed income, packed into the Earle Brown Heritage Center in Brooklyn Center Monday afternoon to address the proposed rate increase. If the rate increases were to go into effect, residential customers would pay about $4 more a month the first year and an additional $5 to $6 a month the second year.

Officials from Xcel Energy expressed confidence that the rate hikes would go into effect.

"Well, we expect an increase will be granted because we think we've put on a solid case that shows that these were good investments for our system," said Chris Clark, a regional vice president of rates and regulatory affairs from Xcel Energy. "Certainly we recognize that in cases you don't necessarily get everything you ask for, we'll make adjustments to our business based on what the commission's final decision is."

More public hearings will take place throughout the week at different locations around Minnesota. The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will make its decision on the rate hikes in early 2015.




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