Black Hills Energy announced Tuesday it received approval from the Kansas Corporation Commission on an agreement that allows the company to increase its rates by 4.8 percent.

The average increase for a typical residential customer will be about $2.62 per month, according to a news release. For a small-commercial customer, the average increase will be about $6.46 per month.

Black Hills serves about 111,000 natural gas customers in Kansas. The new rates are effective Jan. 1, 2015.

“We are committed to providing safe, reliable service at a good value,” said Todd Jacobs, general manager for Black Hills’ Kansas natural gas utility, in a statement. “We maintain that value by controlling costs, making responsible investments, and providing the energy solutions to help our customers manage their bill and get help when they need it.”

Black Hills requested the new rates in order to earn a return on the company’s $51 million investment in infrastructure replacements, improvements and line extensions. Increased operating costs also called for a rate increase, the company said.