Xcel Energy on Solar Examiner

Colorado Electricity Rate Changes: What Changed in 2026 and What's Next

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Colorado’s largest utility raised electric rates on August 29, 2026, five weeks before October 1. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved less than half of what Xcel Energy asked for.

This article covers Xcel Energy (Public Service Company of Colorado). It does not cover Black Hills Energy, electric cooperatives or municipal utilities.

Quick Summary

Stage	Annual revenue	Residential change	Per month
Xcel’s request	$356 million	9.9%	$9.94
Settlement	$225 million	5.86%	$6.13
PUC approval	$157 million	4.77%	$5.00

New rates took effect August 29, 2026 (Proceeding 25AL-0494E).

Minnesota Electricity Rate Changes: What Changed in 2026 and What's Next

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

Minnesota’s largest utility did not change rates on October 1, 2026. Xcel Energy’s two-year electric rate case was decided earlier in 2026, and the main remaining event for customers is a refund of interim rates.

This article covers Xcel Energy (Northern States Power). It does not cover Minnesota Power, Otter Tail Power, cooperatives or municipal utilities.

Quick Summary

Item	2025	2026
Xcel’s request	$353 million (9.6%)	$137.5 million (3.6%)
PUC approval	$82.9 million (2.3%)	$127.3 million (3.4%)

Total approved: about $211 million over two years.

North Dakota Electricity Rate Changes: What Changed in 2026 and What's Next

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

North Dakota did not have a rate change on October 1, 2026. The most recent change came about a month before, when Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) started charging interim rates.

This article covers Xcel Energy (about 97,000 North Dakota customers) and MDU. It does not cover Otter Tail Power or the electric cooperatives.

Quick Summary

Utility	Status	Change	Residential impact
Xcel Energy	Approved Feb. 5, 2026	10.37% overall, 12.92% residential	$11.94 a month in total
MDU, interim	Approved Aug. 26, 2026	12.3%	About $12.90 a month
MDU, full request	Pending; hearings likely 2027	14.5% ($34.5 million)	Not stated

Xcel Energy

The North Dakota Public Service Commission (PSC) approved a settlement on February 5, 2026.

South Dakota Electricity Rate Changes: What Changed in 2026 and What's Next

Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000

South Dakota did not have a rate change on October 1, 2026. Xcel Energy’s rate case was settled in May, with final rates from July 1. Black Hills Energy’s case is still open.

This article covers Xcel Energy (about 107,000 South Dakota customers) and Black Hills Energy. It does not cover NorthWestern Energy, Otter Tail, MidAmerican, cooperatives or municipal utilities.

Quick Summary

Item	Utility	Date	Residential impact
Interim rates	Xcel	Jan. 1, 2026	Higher than final rates
Final rates	Xcel	July 1, 2026	About +$13.48 a month at 750 kWh
Interim refund	Xcel	August and September 2026 bills	About $43.52
Rate moratorium	Xcel	Until Jan. 1, 2029	No base rate increases
Rate request	Black Hills Energy	Pending	About +$25.13 a month (25%)

Xcel Energy: Settled Below the Request

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the settlement in Docket EL25-024.