What's going on in the Dakotas?

December 2, 2009

 

Proposed electric rate hike sparks worries in SD

 

The Associated Press

11:33 a.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2009

 

RAPID CITY, S.D. — Some customers of Black Hills Power are expressing concern over a proposed 26.6 percent electric rate hike.

Many spoke out at a public hearing Tuesday held by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, which will decide on the utility's request.

Black Hills Power's proposal would increase rates about $18 a month for a typical residential electric customer. There are about 64,000 customers in the utility's service territory.

Spearfish Superintendent Dave Peters says a rate hike would increase that school's annual energy bill from about $202,000 to $256,000.

Black Hills Power, a subsidiary of Black Hills Corp., says it needs the increase to continue to provide safe and reliable energy. Spokesman Kyle White says the utility has programs available for customers who struggle with bills.

The utility servees 63,500 customers in 20 communities in western South Dakota, northern Wyoming and southeastern Montana.

Otter Tail electric rate case settled in ND

 

The Associated Press

5:16 p.m. Wednesday, November 25, 2009

 

BISMARCK, N.D. — Otter Tail Power Co.'s North Dakota customers will be paying slightly lower rates under a settlement of an electric rate case.

The utility's 57,000 North Dakota electric customers also will be getting a small refund, with interest, for overpaying their electric bills during the past year.

An average residential customer using about 836 kilowatt hours of power each month will get a bill credit of about $6 within the next three months.

North Dakota's Public Service Commission approved the settlement Wednesday.

Otter Tail customers also will be paying less to finance the cost of new wind farms in northeastern and east-central North Dakota. Now, a typical residential customer is paying $3.82 a month for the wind energy. The new rates put the payback amount at $2.65 a month.

 

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