Xcel proposes 13 percent drop in utility bills
COLORADO - Xcel Energy is proposing a rate cut that would lower the average electric bill by about 13 percent.
Xcel said it filed for the $89.4 million rate reduction on December 12, mostly because of lower natural gas costs. Colorado's largest utility also uses coal to produce electricity.
Xcel said the cut would mean a savings of $8.10 a month on the average bill of $53.08.
The unit price of natural gas used to calculate heating bills is also down about 3 percent this December compared to last December.
If the state Public Utilities Commission approves the electric proposal, the cut would take effect January 1. It would apply to bills through March 2009.
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Brazilian electricity workers call for 72-hour strike
BRASILIA - Brazil's national electricity workers' collective (CNE) has called for a 72-hour strike to protest the privatization of state-run electric company Eletrobras and its subsidiaries.
The CNE, which gathers the electricity workers' confederation, federations, unions and associations, said the strike is to begin at Monday midnight (0300 GMT) and last through midnight Wednesday.
Workers are demanding the ouster of Eletrobras President Wilson Ferreira Jr., who they say is the leading promoter of the privatization move.
Some 24,000 workers are expected to take part in the strike. However, the CNE said it will not affect consumers by ensuring essential services.
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