SD PUC to decide on potential NorthWestern Energy rate increase Tuesday Jan. 9th

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is set to decide on a compromise with NorthWestern Energy that could see prices raised on NorthWestern customers. According to the agenda for the Tuesday January 9^th meeting, the Commission will decide whether or not to approve an 11.4 percent increase, which will cost NorthWestern customers an estimated $21.5 million more. The 11.4 percent is a compromise from NorthWestern Energy’s original request to raise rates upwards of 16 percent. If approved, Northwestern Energy will alert customers about the increase with a notice to customers 750 kilowatt-hours of energy will be increased approximately $13.67 percent. NorthWestern Energy’s last rate raise approval was in 2015. According to NorthWestern Energy, this proposed increase will affect 64,680 electric customers in South Dakota.