Customers of natural gas utility Minnesota Energy Resources will see an increase of 4.2 percent in January.

The subsidiary of Chicago-based Integrys Energy Group serves the Albert Lea area communities of Alden, Emmons, Freeborn, Oakland, Twin Lakes and Wells. Minnesota Energy Resources likely will provide natural gas to present customers of Alliant Energy in the region, including in Albert Lea, following the transfer of Alliant Energy holdings to the company sometime in mid-2014, after a regulatory approval process is completed.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Thursday approved an interim increase for Minnesota Energy Resources while it awaits an increase for 5.5 percent. According to the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, it is the company’s third rate hike since 2008, when a 5.5 percent increase was approved. Rates rose in 2010 to 4.1 percent.

Once the Alliant Energy deal is sealed, Minnesota Energy Resources would go from serving 214,000 customers to nearly 225,000.