Black Hills Electric Proposed Rate Increase
On June 14, 2024, Black Hills filed its electric rate case with the PUC, to begin the electric rate case Proceeding No. 24AL-0275E. The Company contends that its existing rates do not cover its current cost of providing electric service, so it is requesting an increase to recover infrastructure investment and operating costs, including pay and benefits for local employees.
This is a Phase I and Phase II Rate Case, meaning that the PUC will determine both the revenue requirement of Black Hills (i.e., how much money it can collect) and the allocation of those costs amongst customer classes (i.e., who pays what).
On Nov. 8, the Company submitted rebuttal testimony, in which it requests an annual revenue increase of some $25 million above its current base rate revenue of $180 million.
Black Hills Energy is also proposing changes in the relative amount of revenues collected from each customer class. If approved by the PUC,this would cause:
- An increase in an average monthly bill increase for residential customers of about $15 per month from $109.67 per month to $124.78 per month (approximately 13.8%); and,
- An average monthly bill increase for small commercial customers of $23.03 from $242.38 to $265.41 per month (approximately 9.5%).
- A remote evidentiary hearing is scheduled for December 2 - 6 and 9 - 11, 2024. Information on the evidentiary hearing is available at the Commission's calendar at https://puc.colorado.gov/puccalendar.
Public Comment Hearing Schedule:
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will host four public comment hearings on the Black Hills Electric Rate Proposal (Proceeding 24AL-0275E) to take your public comments.
Public Hearing Schedule:
The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will host four public comment hearings on the Black Hills Electric Rate Proposal (Proceeding 24AL-0275E) to take your public comments.
- November 19, 2024: City Council Chambers, 128 Main Street, Canon City, 4 - 7 p.m. *
- December 5, 2024: Virtual Public Comment Meeting, 4 - 7 p.m. Register here.
* ASL or Spanish interpretation services can be requested by contacting Holly Bise at 303-894-2024 or holly.bise@state.co.us by November 5.
Informational flyers are available here in English and Spanish.
More Opportunities for Comment:
Individuals can also submit written or verbal public comments. Public comments should reference Proceeding Number 24AL-0275E and can be provided by:
- Submitting written comments through the Commission’s Electronic Filing System (E-Filings)
- Submitting written comments using the Commission’s online form.
- Submitting through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us.
- Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202.
- Calling (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options).
Xcel Energy's Time of Use (TOU) Rates
Most Xcel Energy residential electric customers are currently billed on TOU rates with higher rates during “on-peak” periods and lower rates during “off-peak” periods. On Sept. 3, 2024, Xcel Energy filed for approval of new TOU rates in Proceeding No. 24AL-0377E.
Xcel Energy seeks to modify the current on-peak period (3 - 7 p.m. year-round) to:
- 3 - 9 p.m. in the Summer (June through September) and
- 5 - 9 p.m. in the Winter ( or all other months)
- Xcel Energy also proposes reducing the difference in rates between peak and off-peak periods and setting new rates for charging electric vehicles.
The TOU rates are designed to give electric utility customers options to save money by lowering electricity bills by adjusting their use patterns to use more electricity (e.g. by running high-energy use appliances) when the rate is reduced and less during on-peak hours. On-peak periods are set when demand is highest and costs are greater to generate and deliver energy. When demand is low, the cost of electricity is generally lower because there is less stress on the electricity grid and cheaper energy sources are available. For example, wind generated electricity is typically more available overnight and it is less expensive to produce and distribute at that off-peak time.
New TOU rates could take effect as early as May 2025, with the exact date based on when the Commission conducts its hearings and issues its final decision. The Commission will make no decisions or hold deliberations at the December public comment hearing.
More information on the Xcel Energy Time of Use Proposal 24AL-0377E is available on the PUC website. The Commission is expected to reach a final decision in February 2025.
Xcel Energy TOU Public Comment Opportunities:
Virtual Public Comment Hearing:
- Who: Xcel Energy ratepayers, local community members, and PUC Commission
- When: 4 - 7 p.m., Tuesday, Dec. 17
- Speaker Registration Zoom Link
- To view only, and not participate in public comment, watch the hearing on the PUC YouTube Channel, available from the PUC website.
Other ways to submit public comment:
- Public comments can be received anytime but are encouraged to be submitted by January 31, 2025. Comments should reference Proceeding Number 24AL-0377E and can be submitted by:
- Submitting written comments through the Commission's Electronic Filing System (E-filings) (Here)
- Submitting written comments using the Commission’s online form
- Submitting through email at dora_puc_website@state.co.us
- Mailing comments to the Commission’s offices at: Colorado Public Utilities Commission, 1560 Broadway, Suite 250, Denver, CO 80202
- Calling (303) 869-3490 to leave oral comments (English and Spanish options)