MITCHELL, S.D. (MITCHELLNOW) In May of 2011, Northwestern Energy applied to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for a 7.2% increase in natural gas rates. After a public hearing and deliberations, the PUC decided to grant a 5.3% increase in rates to Northwestern Energy. That was 13 years ago.
Now, Northwestern Energy says that 13 years of inflation and company investments in natural gas infrastructure and procurement warrant another rate increase. This time the company is asking for a 9.1% rise in rates. The PUC will begin the process of considering the request at their meeting on July 2, 2024. The Public Utilities Commission could grant the entire requested increase, deny any increase or do like they did in 2011, grant part but not all of the requested increase.