MDU Seeks Rate Increase For Black Hills Customers

Montana-Dakota Utilities is asking South Dakota regulators for rate increase that would affect the company's natural gas customers in the Black Hills.

An average residential natural gas user in the Black Hills will pay about $3 more per month if a rate increase is approved by the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission.

The Bismarck, N.D.-based utility's filing with South Dakota regulators would mean an overall rate increase of 3.3 percent, or $1.55 million annually.

MDU says the main reason for the rate increase is to recover costs from investments in natural gas facilities. MDU has about 54,000 natural gas customers in 25 South Dakota communities.

The PUC has up to six months to decide on the rate increase.