Sioux Falls, SD (KELO AM) - Xcel Customers in Sioux Falls will notice an 8% increase in their bills beginning next year, which according to the company will amount to about $8.50 for the typical family. Xcel will be implementing the rate on a temporary basis, as the company waits the SD PUC’s ruling on their application for a permanent increase that was submitted back in June. Should t PUC determine that Xcel can raise their rates by less than 8%, customers would receive a check for the difference plus interest.
Jim Wilcox is the Sioux Falls regional manager for Xcel, and he says the increase will be used to help fund upgrades at two nuclear power plants that supply much of the energy Sioux Falls uses. Additionally, the company is working to upgrade transmission lines and build a new substation at the site of the old stockyards. “Those are 3 major capital investments, and just sort of by coincidence all occurring at this time. And we are asking for permission to put the cost of those projects into rates” said Wilcox.