The IUB issued an order today scheduling four public consumer comment meetings, starting July 22, 2024, regarding the customer notice filed by Black Hills Energy Company (Black Hills) for an increase in its Iowa natural gas base delivery rates.
The meetings will allow Black Hills customers to express their views about the proposed general rate increases and comment on the overall quality of Black Hills’ service. Three in-person meetings are scheduled throughout Black Hills’ Iowa natural gas service territory and one virtual meeting is scheduled.
Representatives of Black Hills, the IUB, and the Office of Consumer Advocate (OCA) will be present at all meetings to hear public and customer comments and answer questions. The OCA represents the general interests of customers in all IUB proceedings.
The following meetings are scheduled:
- Council Bluffs – 5:30 p.m. Monday, July 22, Council Bluffs Public Library, 400 Willow Ave.
- Newton – 5:30 p.m. Tuesday, July 23, Des Moines Area Community College (DMACC) Conference Center, 600 N. Second Ave. W.
- Dubuque – 5 p.m. Monday, August 5, Carnegie-Stout Public Library, 360 W. 11th St.
- Virtual – 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, August 6. Details about participating online will be available on the IUB’s hearing and meeting calendar at iub.iowa.gov.
Today's order requires Black Hills to file its final proposed rate increase notices with the IUB no later than five days prior to sending the notices to customers. The customer notices are required to include final and updated cost figures and cost percentages.
Persons with disabilities requiring assistive services or devices to observe or participate in a consumer comment meeting should contact the IUB at 515-725-7300 or customer@iub.iowa.gov at least five days in advance of the scheduled date to request appropriate arrangements.
All comments provided at these public meetings, or submitted in writing to the IUB, will become part of the permanent record in the gas rate case Docket No. RPU-2024-0001.
Written comments can be filed using the IUB's online comment form, by email to customer@iub.iowa.gov, or by postal mail to the Iowa Utilities Board, Docket No. RPU-2024-0001, 1375 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50319-0069.
All publicly filed documents for this rate case are available for review in the IUB’s electronic filing system under Docket No. RPU-2024-0001.