Xcel Energy: Files rate request for 2017

Xcel Energy Media Line

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Xcel Energy files rate request for 2017

Company continues to invest in carbon-free energy sources and infrastructure upgrades

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – Xcel Energy today filed an application with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin to request new electricity and natural gas rates in 2017. The request is limited in scope, yet allows the company to continue making infrastructure investments that provide customers with reliable, carbon-free electricity, and to support ongoing environmental remediation of an industrialized site in Ashland.

“We are committed to managing our costs and balancing the need for investments in clean, reliable energy with the need for affordable rates,” said Don Reck, regional vice president, Rates and Regulatory Affairs, Xcel Energy. “To accomplish this, we are limiting the requested increase to capital investments and upgrades to facilities necessary to serve our customers. We are not requesting any change related to increased operating expenses.”

Electric rate request

If approved as filed, a typical residential electricity customer using 750 kilowatt hours per month would see an increase of $1.73 per month or about six cents a day. Xcel Energy is requesting to increase overall electricity base rates by $17.4 million (2.4 percent). The update in rates is necessary to support:

· Modernizing transmission and distribution infrastructure to provide safe and reliable energy

· Adding 200 megawatts of renewable wind energy

· Upgrading equipment at Prairie Island Nuclear Plant

· Replacing aging facilities, equipment and technology

Natural gas rate request

If approved as filed, a typical residential natural gas customer using 55 therms a month would see a monthly increase of $2.49 or eight cents a day. Xcel Energy is requesting to increase overall natural gas base rates by $4.8 million (3.9 percent).

The natural gas request is limited to costs associated with the environmental remediation of an industrialized site in Ashland, which includes property currently owned by Northern States Power Company-Wisconsin, an Xcel Energy company. The cost of this project, like other environmental remediation projects, is shared equally among all Xcel Energy Wisconsin natural gas customers.

“While any increase can be challenging, we encourage customers to take advantage of conservation opportunities to help manage their energy budget,” Reck said. Energy efficiency resources and program information is available at xcelenergy.com or from Wisconsin’s Focus on Energy program.

The PSCW will hold hearings on the application this fall in Madison. A full hearing schedule, when determined, will be available on the PSCW’s website, www.psc.wi.gov.