A Minnesota Indian community with a nuclear power plant as its neighbor is holding a rally to voice opposition to a utility's expansion plans there.

Xcel Energy Inc. is seeking to raise electric base rates by $136 million a year, down from an earlier request of about $180 million, in a settlement with Colorado Public Utilities Commission staff and consumer advocates.

Power company Xcel Energy Inc. on Tuesday said its subsidiary Northern States Power Co.-Minnesota closed its offering of $300 million 30-year first mortgage bonds with an annual interest rate of 5.35 percent.

A federal appeals court ruled Monday that states trying to combat global warming can sue six electric utilities to force them to cut the greenhouse gases emitted by their power plants in 20 states.