Free Republic

Xcel Energy-Colorado has filed a request for a new electric rate increase, which follows a recently approved natural gas rate hike and a $182.2 million jump in revenue for electric service that took effect in April. The request submitted to regulators Wednesday proposed a $312.2 million revenue increase. ... Critics of Xcel’s recent rate cases have accused the utility of “a pancaking” of increases. The PUC approved a $64.2 million rise in the utility’s natural gas rates in October. Regulators slashed the utility’s original proposal by $138 million. ... If the increase is approved, the typical residential bill would rise...

Bill Marts of Fergus Falls, Minn., pumps 155 gallons of diesel at the Flying J Travel Plaza in Lockwood [suburb NE of Billings] and kisses $345 goodbye.  Going from empty to full sets him back $700.  Fuel prices have driven his finances into the red. "It takes money off my table. I have five trucks and they're losing money every week," Marts said. "Hundreds of companies are going broke every day." Gas and diesel prices have risen in the past two weeks by 7 percent to 9 percent in the Billings area and drivers are howling.The $2.22 for diesel here...