Public hearing canceled in Black Hills Energy's application for rate revision proceeding

The Iowa Utilities Commission (IUC) today issued an order canceling the public evidentiary hearing scheduled for December 9, 2024, regarding the Application for Revision of Rates filed by Black Hills/Iowa Utility Gas Company, LLC d/b/a Black Hills Energy. The IUC, after reviewing a settlement filed in the proceeding, determined a hearing is not required as there are no questions or issues of material fact remaining.

Black Hills filed its application to increase customers' natural gas rates on May 1 in Docket No. RPU-2024-0001. The utility implemented temporary rates on May 11.

On October 15, Black Hills and the Office of the Consumer Advocate, a division of the Iowa Department of Justice, submitted a Stipulation and Settlement Agreement. Both parties, along with the Iowa Business Energy Coalition, also filed a Joint Motion to Suspend Procedural Schedule and Cancel Hearing.

The IUC denied the motion to cancel the hearing in an October 18 order to allow for determination as to whether a hearing on the settlement was needed. Today's order affirms a hearing is no longer necessary.

The proposed settlement remains under review by the IUC, and the IUC noted in the order that if additional information is needed during its review, Black Hills will be required to file that information in the docket.

All documents filed in the proceeding are available in the IUC's electronic filing system under Docket No. RPU-2024-0001.