MADISON, Wis. (AP) — Xcel Energy is asking state regulators to increase its electric and gas rates in Wisconsin next year.

The utility filed an application Friday with the Public Service Commission of Wisconsin that asks for an electrical rate increase of about $6 a month for a typical residential customer. The 6.7 percent increase amounts to about $39 million. Xcel says most of the increase would pay for projects to improve the reliability of the regional transmission system and projects at its two nuclear power plants in Minnesota.

Xcel Energy wants to increase natural gas rates by about $5 million — or approximately 5 percent. It would mean an increase of about $3.17 per month for an average residential customer.

Xcel is based in Minneapolis and operates in eight states.

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