CenterPoint Energy Files Application To Modify Gas Rates

MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO) -- CenterPoint Energy is requesting permission from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission to modify the rates it charges for natural gas.

On Fridaty, the company filed an application to request an increase for monthly basic charges for residential customers from $8 to $15.

However, the request would also decrease the delivery charge from about 17 cents per therm to nearly 13 cents.

CenterPoint said the overall change to customers' bills would be an increase of about $4 per month.

"CenterPoint Energy is working to modernize its infrastructure to ensure that our Minnesota customers continue to receive natural gas service safely and reliably," CenterPoint Energy's division vice president of regional gas operations Joe Vortherms said. "These capital expenditures, in accordance with natural gas pipeline safety and integrity regulations, are the primary driver of this rate increase."

CenterPoint will adjust billing to accommodate the modified rates beginning in October while the MPUC reaches their decision on the request; they are usually allowed 10 months to deliberate. If the change is rejected by the MPUC, CenterPoint will issue a refund to its customers.