Black Hills Corp. Requests Rate Review and Rider Renewal in Kansas

Core Viewpoint - Black Hills Corp. has filed a rate review application with the Kansas Corporation Commission to recover capital infrastructure and operational costs for its natural gas utility serving 120,000 customers in Kansas [1] Investment and Infrastructure - Since the last general rate filing in 2021, Black Hills Energy has invested approximately $118 million in safety, reliability, and system integrity for over 4,765 miles of natural gas pipeline infrastructure in Kansas [2] - These investments are essential for system growth, ensuring safe and reliable natural gas delivery, and meeting compliance with state and federal regulations [2] Rate Review Proposal - The company is requesting an estimated $17.2 million per year in additional revenue, along with approximately $4.4 million of rider revenue rolled into base rates, resulting in a total annual base rate revenue increase of $21.6 million [3] - The proposal is based on a capital structure of 50.44% equity and 49.56% debt, with a return on equity of 10.50% [3] - New rates are being sought for implementation in the second half of 2025 [3] Gas System Reliability Surcharge - The rate application allows the continued use of the Gas System Reliability Surcharge (GSRS) to fund accelerated, safety-focused pipeline replacement across Kansas [4] - This application fulfills the requirement to file a general rate case in Kansas by the end of 2026, ensuring eligibility for future GSRS filings [4] Company Overview - Black Hills Corp. is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company serving 1.34 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states [5]