ABERDEEN, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) South Dakota customers of NorthWestern Energy will see a small increase in their electric bills. The Public Utilities Commission has approved a rate hike to help cover the cost of two new natural gas power plants in Aberdeen and early research into future nuclear energy options. The average residential customer will pay just over $2 more per month. Most of the increase supports the gas plants, while a small portion will fund studies on small modular nuclear reactors, or SMRs. NorthWestern hasn’t committed to building an SMR in South Dakota, but says it’s exploring the possibility. For more Government stories from MitchellNow.com, Click Here