Xcel Requests Electric Rate Hike

A boost in electric rates for Xcel custromers in Wisconsin would largely pay for wind power upgrades.  The company is looking for a 3.2% increase in electric rates in an application filed with the Public Service Commission today.  That increase would lead to about an extra three bucks a typical residential customer would have to pay every month.  The company says nearly half of the money generated by the increase would pay investments in new wind power and upgrades at Xcel’s power plants.  About a third would pay for fuel and generation costs and 20% would go towards transmission improvements in the northern part of the state.