Natural Gas Rate Hikes Coming in September

For the first time in 15 years, Black Hills Energy customers will be seeing an increase in their rates.
However, the rate hike will not be because of an increase in natural gas prices. According to Shirley Welte, vice president of natural gas and electric operations for Black Hills Energy, the rate increase was approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission in order for the utility to recover safety, reliability and system integrity investments for natural gas service for its 7,200 customers in northwest Wyoming, including the communities of Cody, Meeteetse, Ralston and the surrounding rural areas.
Since acquiring the system in 2015, Welte says Black Hills Energy has invested $6 million to replace, upgrade and maintain 620 miles of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines – critical infrastructure needed to ensure the safe and reliable delivery of natural gas to customer homes and businesses in northwest Wyoming.
As approved by the Wyoming Public Service Commission, a typical residential customer’s bill would increase by $11.54 per month. The increase for commercial customers will vary, based on rate class and total usage. The new rates will take effect September 1st.