Mid-American announced earlier this week that they will be raising their rates for the first time in 16 years. Mid-American spokeswoman Tina Potthoff told KNIA/KRLS News that adjustments had to be made due to expensive environmental requirements and rising energy transportation costs. Potthoff says that the adjustments are expected to start in March 2012, and will increase customers’ bills annually by around 3-4%. She says that Mid-American will still have the sixth lowest electric retail rates nationally. Their retail rates are about 40% below the national average for investor-owned utilities.