Otter Tail Power ordered to get independent audit of costs Eds: APNewsNow.

Bismarck, N.D. (AP) The North Dakota Public Service Commission has told Otter Tail Power Co. to get an independent audit of its fuel costs.

The order comes after complaints from Otter Tail customers about their electric bills.

Otter Tail says a planned shutdown of the Big Stone power plant in South Dakota went on longer than expected, and Otter Tail was forced to buy higher-priced power on the open market.

Public Service Commissioner Susan Wefald (WEE'-fald) says the commission will hold a hearing after the audit reports come in. She says that likely will happen in late spring or early summer.

Commissioner Kevin Cramer says 23 percent of Otter Tail's customers use electric heat.

Information from: Dave Thompson/KCND-FM, http://ndpr.org (Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 03-13-08 0720CDT | save this article / add to your favorites list