Alliant Energy customers in Albert Lea are just a few steps away from receiving a refund from a recent rate case, an Alliant Energy spokesman said Wednesday.

Scott Drzycimski, customer communications manager for Alliant Energy, said the company has filed compliance filings — which include what the new rates will be for each customer class — with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. It expects to hear back in January or February.

If these last-minute details are approved as scheduled, he said, the company will implement final rates in March, with refunds being issued around the same time.

Refunds are being issued because the Public Utilities Commission in June approved a revenue increase for Alliant Energy’s subsidiary Interstate Power & Light that was less than what customers have been paying under interim rates since July 2010.

The commission ultimately approved a revenue increase of about $7.7 million out of an original $14 million annual request by the company.

Drzycimski said customers’ bills back to July 2010 will be recalculated with the new rate.