Montana Dakota Utilities has asked state regulators to allow a 14.5% increase in electric rates that would raise the average customer’s monthly bill by about $19, the company said in its filing reviewed Tuesday.
Who would be affected and why the company says it’s needed
MDU serves roughly 95,000 electric customers in North Dakota. The utility cites rising operating and maintenance costs since its last general rate request in 2022 as the main justification for the proposed adjustment. Company officials say investments in the system to maintain reliable service also factor into the filing.
“We understand that everyone you know is subject to those, so it has been four years, and we’ve had increases in our ONM, and we’ve also invested in our system to get safe, reliable, dependable energy,”
The request now goes to the North Dakota Public Service Commission for review. The commission may authorize an interim rate while it examines the full filing; an interim increase could take effect as soon as Sept. 1, the company said.
Customer impact and reactions
MDU says the average bill increase will be roughly $19 per month, which amounts to about $228 a year. Consumer advocates and community groups warn that even that level of increase can strain household budgets, particularly for seniors and people on fixed incomes.
- Estimated customer base affected: 95,000
- Proposed rate increase: 14.5%
- Average monthly impact: $19 (about $228 annually)
- Possible interim effective date: Sept. 1
Janelle Moos, associate state director for AARP, said the increase could meaningfully alter the budgets of older North Dakotans who rely on fixed monthly income. Some customers who work from home reported recent bills near $400, and they said additional increases would heighten financial pressure.
Next steps and what to watch
The Public Service Commission will review MDU’s proposal. That process can include public comment, hearings and staff analysis. The commission also has the authority to grant an interim rate while the case is under review — a move that would apply immediately to customer bills once authorized.
| Item | Current / Proposed |
|---|---|
| Customer base affected | ~95,000 |
| Proposed increase | 14.5% |
| Average monthly change | $0 → +$19 |
Consumers concerned about the filing can monitor the Public Service Commission’s docket for the case and look for opportunities to submit comment or testify at hearings. For many households, even modest monthly increases add up over the year; local organizations and aging advocates say they will be watching the commission’s review closely.
This story will be updated as the Public Service Commission sets hearings or issues decisions related to MDU’s filing.
