FAIRBANKS (AP) — A Fairbanks utility that provides steam heat to downtown businesses has been given the go-ahead to increase its prices.

The Fairbanks Daily News-Miner reports the Regulatory Commission of Alaska will let Aurora Energy increase its rates by 43 percent. Customers will now pay $15 per 1,000 pounds of steam.

The commission only approved the increase on an interim basis. Aurora would like to eventually make the price $20.45 per 1,000 pounds of steam, and the commission has delayed its final decision until at least the end of July.

About 70 customers receive steam heat from Aurora Energy’s coal-fired power plant in downtown Fairbanks, including large offices like the KeyBank building and Courthouse Square.