April 6 — Officials say about one third or more of a typical residential bill is made up of fuel costs – the charges for coal and natural gas used to fuel our generating plants.  In late 2016 and early 2017, natural gas prices increased, causing Xcel to raise the fuel cost factor twice. But in the past 12 months, natural gas has dropped off by close to 47 percent.

— MyHIghPlains.Com