Xcel Rate Increase Request

The Colorado Public Utilities Commission is looking at a request by Xcel Energy for a $100 million rate increase.  Xcel says it needs the money to pay for providing electric services to its retail customers this year.  The Daily Sentinel says Xcel is looking to bypass the usual public hearing process by calling the hike "temporary" and promising to pay back customers if costs turn out to be less than the $100 million it's requesting.