Black Hills gas customers in Nebraska to get $4.7 million in refunds

Black Hills Energy customers will receive $4.7 million after the Nebraska Public Service Commission on Tuesday approved a refund plan.

The refunds, which will include interest, reflect the difference between interim rates Black Hills began charging its natural gas customers in August and final PSC-approved rates that took effect Jan. 1.

Black Hills had proposed a $34.9 million overall annual rate increase, but the PSC only approved a $23.9 million request. The $4.7 million represents the difference for the five months the interim rates were in effect.

The average refund for residential customers is about $15, while large commercial customers will receive average refunds of about $131. The refunds will show up as a one-time bill credit.

Former customers who are owed more than $2 will receive a check in the mail.

“We appreciate the collaborative effort from all parties – including Black Hills, commission staff, independent consultants and the public advocate who represented the ratepayers in this case,” PSC Chair Tim Schram said in a news release. “They came together to create a fair plan, and we look forward to customers receiving these refunds in a timely, efficient manner.”

Black Hills has more than 300,000 customers in Nebraska.