North Western Energy announced on Tuesday that they have filed an application with the South Dakota Public Utility Commission to adjust rates for natural gas services in South Dakota. The company is requesting an increase of 4 point 1 million dollars ($4.1) annually. Tom Glanzer from North Western Energy explains the reason for the rate hike.
If approved by the South Dakota Public Utility Commission, North Western says the average residential natural gas bill increase would be 8 dollars and 31 cents ($8.31), Glanzer says that is a fair increase.
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/05/Glanzer052511b.mp3|titles=Glanzer052511b]Glanzer says that increase does not reflect an increase in the price of the natural gas commodity but rather and increase in operations and maintenance costs.
[audio:http://prprt.itmwpb.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/688/2011/05/Glanzer052511c.mp3|titles=Glanzer052511c]North Western says that by remediating the MGP plants, including one in Huron, less byproducts, such as coal tar, will be produced.