Rate Cases
Montana-Dakota Utilities rate cases
Montana-Dakota Utilities is a regulated utility under the jurisdiction of regulatory commissions in the states it serves. The rates customers pay are approved by each state’s regulatory commission. When the costs of providing safe and reliable electric and natural gas service exceed what customers are paying in rates, Montana-Dakota files a rate increase request with the applicable state regulatory commission.
Requested increases are the result of additional costs necessary to maintain a safe and reliable system; upgrade aging infrastructure and technology; meet growing demand; and compliance with state and federal regulatory requirements, such as environmental mandates.
The company does not have authority to change rates without approval by a state regulatory commission. Click on your state below to review information about recently approved or pending rate case filings.
Montana PSC issues final order in Montana-Dakota Utilities electric price increase case
The Montana Public Service Commission on September 21, 2023, issued a final order approving an increase in prices for Montana-Dakota Utilities’ electric customers. The increase request was filed with the PSC on November 1, 2022. The procedural process concluded on August 8, 2023, when the PSC approved a stipulation agreement that was reached by all parties in the case.
The final order calls for an increase in annual revenues of $6.1 million, or 9.1% overall. The monthly impact for an average residential customer is $8 a month, or $96 annually.
The PSC’s final order can be found here.
North Dakota has no rate cases at this time.
Montana-Dakota Utilities files natural gas increase request in South Dakota
Montana-Dakota Utilities filed a natural gas price increase request with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on Aug. 15. If approved, it would increase residential customers’ monthly bill by an average of about $8.70 a month.
“The primary reasons for this request to increase prices are increased operating costs, along with increased investment in our natural gas facilities,” said Nicole Kivisto, president and chief executive officer of Montana-Dakota.
The proposed increase is for approximately $7.4 million annually over current prices, or a 11.2% overall increase. Montana-Dakota serves about 64,600 natural gas customers in 26 South Dakota communities.
The proposed increase for each customer group, supported by studies to determine the cost to serve each group, is:
- Residential 15.9%
- Firm general 4.9%
- Small interruptible 1.9%
- Large interruptible 6.1%
- Total overall increase: 11.2%
The last price increase for South Dakota natural gas customers was $1.2 million, or 2.45%. That request was filed in June 2015 and went into effect on July 1, 2016.
The company’s rate base, which includes such things as pipelines, meters and buildings, has grown by $33 million, or nearly 75%, since the 2015 case.
The South Dakota PUC has up to six months to issue a decision on the proposed increase request.
Montana-Dakota encourages customers to use energy wisely. Conservation tips, information on energy assistance and information on the company’s balanced billing program can be found on Montana-Dakota’s website: www.montana-dakota.com.
The full filing can be viewed by clicking the following links:
Montana-Dakota Utilities files electric increase request in South Dakota
Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. filed an electric price increase request with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Tuesday, Aug. 15. If approved, it would increase residential customers’ monthly bill by an average of about $19.68 a month.
The proposed increase is for $2.98 million annually over current prices, or a 17.3% overall increase. Montana-Dakota serves about 8,500 electric customers in 32 South Dakota communities.
The proposed increase of 17.3% is broke down for each customer group as follows:
- Residential 17.6%
- Small General 17.2%
- Large General 15.1%
- General Space Heating 29.6%
- Street Lighting 11.1%
- Municipal Pumping 16.2%
- Outdoor Lighting 32%
The last increase request was filed in June 2015. An increase of $1.4 million, or 9.9%, was implemented on July 1, 2016. For the average residential customer, the price increase was about $4.44 per month, or 5%.
The 17.3% increase request equates to an average annual increase of approximately 2.2% since the last rate case.
The main reasons for the request to increase annual revenues are related to the investments needed to provide safe and reliable service, including a new natural gas combustion turbine under construction, as well as increases in operation expenses, such as labor, depreciation and property tax. The amount invested in the company’s electric infrastructure has grown by $33 million, or 80%, since the last price increase.
The South Dakota PUC has up to six months to issue a decision on the proposed increase request.
Montana-Dakota encourages customers to use energy wisely. Conservation tips, information on energy assistance and information on the company’s balanced billing program can be found on Montana-Dakota’s website: www.montana-dakota.com.
The full filing can be viewed by clicking the following links:
Wyoming has no rate cases at this time.
