pscBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s Public Service Commission has approved a rate increase for natural gas used by customers of Montana-Dakota Utilities Company. The three-member panel on Wednesday granted the increase that will raise $2.6 million a year more than current rates. The Bismarck-based utility originally sought a 3.4 percent overall rate increase, which would have raised $4.3 million a year.

Because the final increase is smaller than the interim increase, the average MDU natural gas customers will receive a refund of about $7 as a credit on their February bill. The average customer has been paying an additional $2.40 monthly under the interim increase, and the final increase will be $2.03.