CASPER, Wyo. — Black Hills Energy says it needs $140 million for necessary improvements in its more than 6,400-mile natural gas system in Wyoming, and it’s looking to customers to foot that bill.
The company announced Wednesday that it has received the approval of the Wyoming Public Service Commission to implement new rates for natural gas service to recover the $140 million. The rates will become effective Feb. 1, according to a news release.
“As approved, residential customers with an average usage will see an increase of approximately $7.26 per month. Small general customers with an average usage will see an increase of approximately $1.23 per month,” the release states.
“Customers rely on critical natural gas service from Black Hills Energy all day, every day,” said Dustin McKen, general manager of Black Hills Energy in Wyoming. “As an energy company that serves more than 133,000 natural gas customers across the state, it’s our responsibility to make thoughtful investments in the safety and resiliency of our system to meet residential and business demand.”
The settlement agreement also extends the Wyoming Integrity Rider through December 2027 for investments in the company’s natural gas distribution, transmission and storage systems, limited to a maximum of $80 million in project expenditures, the release said.
