Iowa Utilities Board approves rate request by Black Hills Energy

The Iowa Utilities Board recently approved the rate request submitted by Black Hills Energy.

Black Hills Energy and the Iowa Utilities Board (IUB) reached a settlement agreement on Nov 8. In that agreement, the two parties agreed to the proposed overall annual revenue increase of $5.9 million, with a typical monthly increase to the residential base rates of $1.45 for customers.

The new rates went into effect on Jan. 1, 2022. The IUB found the settlement reasonable, consistent with law, and in the public interest.

Initially, back on June 1, 2021, Black Hills filed an application with IUB seeking an increase in its Iowa retail natural gas customer rates and approval of proposed tariff rate revisions. Black Hills requested an overall permanent annual revenue increase of approximately $10.5 million.

As part of the proceedings in this rate case, the board received written public comments. It held eight public customer comment meetings in September and October 2021 throughout Black Hills’ Iowa service territory.

Black Hills Energy, based in Rapid City, South Dakota, provides electric and gas services in several states, including South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Arkansas, Kansas, Nebraska, and Iowa. The company serves roughly 160,000 natural gas customers in Iowa.