Most of the investor owned utilities in South Dakota have either raised electric rates, or have a case before the Public Utilities Commission seeking to do that.

Many rural electric cooperatives may not be far behind on rate increases.

Brad Schardin, general manager of Southeastern Electric, based in Marion, says increasing clean air regulations are putting pressure on their power suppliers…

 

Southeastern had an eleven percent rate increase three years ago. Schardin says while they are just putting the numbers together for 2016, are hoping to keep it below double digits…

 

Schardin says they continue to see growth all across their service area…

 

Schardin says they now serve just under sixteen thousand customers, and are adding three to five hundred a year.

 

Most of the investor owned utilities in South Dakota have either raised electric rates, or have a case before the Public Utilities Commission seeking to do that.