Xcel proposes 13 percent drop in utility bills
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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EDF and France reach deal on electricity prices-source
PARIS - State-controlled power group EDF and the French government have reached a tentative deal on future nuclear power prices, a source close to the government said on Monday, ending months of tense negotiations.
The two sides agreed on 70 euros per megawatt hour (MWH) as a reference level for power prices, the source said, cautioning that details of the deal are still being finalised.
The negotiations aimed to find a compromise between EDF, which is eager to maximise revenues to fund investments, and the government, keen to keep electricity bills for French households and businesses as low as possible.
EDF declined to…