Colorado OKs 5 percent Xcel rate increase
COLORADO - Colorado regulators have approved an electricity rate increase that will raise Xcel Energy residential customers' bills by about $2.94 a month starting July 1.
The state Public Utilities Commission said electric bills for Xcel's small-business customers will rise by about $4.42 a month.
The total rate increase is $112.2 million, or about 5 percent. Xcel had asked for $159.3 million.
Minneapolis-based Xcel is Colorado's largest electric utility with 1.4 million customers.
Earlier, Xcel proposed a $180.2 million rate increase to start January 1, on top of the increase that was approved.
Xcel says that request would increase typical monthly residential customer's bill by $4.98 and the typical small-business customer's bill by $5.40.
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Western Canada drought impacting hydropower production as reservoirs run low
WINNIPEG - Severe drought conditions in Western Canada are compelling two hydroelectricity-dependent provinces, British Columbia and Manitoba, to import power from other regions. These provinces, known for their reliance on hydroelectric power, are facing reduced electricity production due to low water levels in reservoirs this autumn and winter.
While there is no immediate threat of power outages in either province, experts indicate that climate change is leading to more frequent and severe droughts. This trend places increasing pressure on hydroelectric power producers in the future.
In British Columbia, several regions are experiencing "extreme" drought conditions as classified by the federal government. BC…
