Xcel proposes 13 percent drop in utility bills

COLORADO - Xcel Energy is proposing a rate cut that would lower the average electric bill by about 13 percent.

Xcel said it filed for the $89.4 million rate reduction on December 12, mostly because of lower natural gas costs. Colorado's largest utility also uses coal to produce electricity.

Xcel said the cut would mean a savings of $8.10 a month on the average bill of $53.08.

The unit price of natural gas used to calculate heating bills is also down about 3 percent this December compared to last December.

If the state Public Utilities Commission approves the electric proposal, the cut would take effect January 1. It would apply to bills through March 2009.