Alliant Energy will increase their natural gas rates, but consumers may not notice for the next few years. The Iowa Utilities Board approved a settlement this week that allows Alliant to raise rates by 4.8%. However, Alliant representatives say that tax credits in place over the next three years will actually decrease the typical customer’s bill by about 39 cents per month. When those benefits expire, those bills will rise by about an average of $3 per month.

Alliant had initially requested a 5.6 % increase. The Iowa Utility Board found the 4.8% increase to be consistent with the law and in the public interest. The tax credits that will be applied to the bills of customers come from mixed service costs, repair expenditures, and 2008 flood proceeds.