FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
April 14, 2026
PSC APPROVES BLACK HILLS REFUNDS
LINCOLN – The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC)
today approved a refund plan from Black Hills Energy that will
return approximately $4.7 million to the utility’s natural gas
customers across the state. The refunds, which will include
interest, reflect the difference between interim rates Black
Hills began charging customers in August 2025 and final
PSC-approved rates that took effect Jan. 1.
Under the approved plan:
- Most current customers will receive a one-time credit
on an upcoming bill. - Actual refund amounts customers receive will vary
based on usage during the period of interim rates. - Residential customers will receive an average refund
of about $15. - Large commercial customers will receive an average
refund of about $131. - Small commercial customers will not receive refunds
because their final rates are the same as the interim rates.
Former customers owed more than $2 will receive refunds by
check through the U.S. mail. Undeliverable checks as well as
refunds for former customers owed $2 or less will be turned
over – or escheated – to the state pursuant to Nebraska law.
“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. “They
came together to create a fair plan, and we look forward to
customers receiving these refunds in a timely, efficient
manner.”
Following completion of the refund process, Black Hills will file
a final report with the Commission detailing the total amounts
refunded to customers and escheated to the state.
The refund plan follows Commission approval of the
utility’s rate increase request in December. Those rates
became effective Jan. 1, replacing the interim rates that had
been in place since Aug. 1, 2025.
Under the new rates, the average monthly impact to bills is
$2.85 for residential customers, $5.34 for small commercial
customers and $72.01 for large commercial customers.
Additional information for Black Hills customers is available here.
###
Media Contact:
Jason McFarley – Public Information & Education Officer
(402) 430-5640
jason.mcfarley@nebraska.gov
