PUC green lights Xcel's rate increase

Minneapolis company's South Dakota consumers to pay more per kilowatt-hour

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a deal with Xcel Energy to allow the electric provider to raise its rates come July.

That means the average South Dakota Xcel customer will likely have to hand over an extra Hamilton and then some to the company each month.

The three-person commission unanimously voted to approve a settlement stipulation during a regular meeting on May 8.