The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission held a public hearing in Yankton last night on the proposed electric rate hike by Northwestern Energy. The company is asking for an increase of about twenty percent.
Northwestern Chief Financial Officer Brian Bird says it’s been a long time since the last rate increase.
Bird says they have worked to improve their system over those years.
Bird says they have to commit to new projects before they can ask for the rate hike.
PUC Chairman Chris Nelson says they have to find a balance.
Nelson says Northwestern may not get all they are asking for.
Nelson says the rate case should be wrapped up later this year.
The commission held the hearing following the submission of a petition by a Northwestern customer in Yankton.
