Des Moines, Iowa — Natural gas customers in some northwest Iowa communities can probably expect a small price increase on the horizon after a recent ruling by the Iowa Utilities Board (or IUB).
The board has issued its final decision order regarding the request from Black Hills Energy to increase its customer natural gas rates.
On June 1, 2021, Black Hills filed with the IUB an application 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.
The parties in this case entered into and filed a settlement agreement with the IUB on November 8, 2021, that proposes an overall annual revenue increase of $5.9 million and a typical monthly increase to the residential base rates of $1.45 for customers. Black Hills requested that new rates go into effect on January 1, 2022.
The IUB order found the settlement to be reasonable in light of the whole record, consistent with law, and in the public interest, so the rates will go into effect as requested.
As part of the proceedings in this rate case, the IUB received written public comments and held eight public customer comment meetings in September and October 2021 throughout Black Hills’ Iowa service territory.
Black Hills serves approximately 160,000 customers in Iowa, including gas customers in Paullina and Primghar in our area, as well as in several nearby communities in Dickinson, Clay, and Cherokee counties.
