(Radio Iowa) – The Iowa Utilities Board released its ruling today (Friday) on MidAmerican Energy’s request for a natural gas service rate increase. The I-U-B approved a three-point-eight percent increase in natural gas service rates following hearings on the rate request. That is a little more than half of the rate increase MidAmerican had requested.

The final rate is also below the five percent temporary rate increase granted to MidAmerican in June of last year, and the company now has to file a plan to refund the excess amount of the interim rate.

The I-U-B says under the new rate, the average residential natural gas customer will see their monthly bill increase of approximately one dollar, 86 cents.