Black Hills Energy seeks increased funding for low-income energy assistance program
Black Hills Energy recently submitted a proposal to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) for
an 11 percent increase in its electric bill surcharge for low-income energy assistance.
Under the proposal, the monthly surcharge for the Black Hills Energy Assistance Program surcharge (BHEAP) to its residential customers would increase from 28 cents per month to 31 cents per month. The surcharge to small-business customers would increase by 10 cents from 90 cents per month to $1 per month.
CPUC rules currently dictate that utilities cannot charge residential customers more than 31 cents per month for low-income energy assistance programs. Earlier this year, the CPUC eliminated any cap on the amount
of funding paid to qualifying participants for monthly bill credits or payment assistance.
“The intent behind the Commission’s new rules is to provide the highest amount of benefit to households with the greatest need,” Fred Stoffel, Black Hills Energy director of regulatory services, said. “In Black Hills’ case, the amount of money we are able to raise for BHEAP will not support all the customers who have depended on BHEAP in the past. This is what’s prompting our request for an increase.”
