Electricity rates in Decorah will be going up starting next Thursday

Alliant Energy has filed a request with the Iowa Utilities Board to increase its electric rates by an average of 11.6 percent.

However, under Iowa law Alliant Energy can implement interim rates, which it has chosen to do as of Thursday, April 13th.  That interim rate hike will increase the typical residential electricity bill by $9.47 a month, to $123.53.  That's an 8.3 percent increase.

The proposed rate increase for all customer classes combined will be around $176 million if the Iowa Utilities Board gives its approval.

As part of the process, the Utilities Board has scheduled eight customer comment meetings from May 23rd through June 8th.  The closest such meeting is Thursday, May 25th at NIACC in Mason City.

Alliant Energy has not had a rate increase in six years.  The utility says it has made a number of investments during that time, including a new natural gas electricity generating station in Marshalltown which can power 500,000 homes.