Regulators begin study of NorthWestern’s proposed nine percent natural gas rate increase

State regulators will take six months to study NorthWestern Energy’s proposed nine percent natural gas rate increase, which the company says would cost a typical residential customer an additional $8.38 per month or $100.56 per year.

The proposal would generate an additional $6 million in annual revenue for NorthWestern, which delivers natural gas to about 50,000 South Dakota customers. The company…