By Nebraska Public Service Commission
LINCOLN, Neb. – The Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC) today approved a refund plan from Black Hills Energy that will return approximately $4.7 million to the utility’s natural gas customers across the state. The refunds, which will include interest, reflect the difference between interim rates Black Hills began charging customers in August 2025 and final PSC-approved rates that took effect Jan. 1.
Under the approved plan:
- Most current customers will receive a one-time credit on an upcoming bill.
- Actual refund amounts customers receive will vary based on usage during the period of interim rates.
- Residential customers will receive an average refund of about $15.
- Large commercial customers will receive an average refund of about $131.
- Small commercial customers will not receive refunds because their final rates are the same as the interim rates.
Former customers owed more than $2 will receive refunds by check through the U.S. mail.
Undeliverable checks as well as refunds for former customers owed $2 or less will be turned over – or escheated – to the state pursuant to Nebraska law.
“We appreciate the collaborative effort from all parties – including Black Hills, Commission staff, independent consultants and the Public Advocate who represented the ratepayers in this case,” PSC Chair Tim Schram said. “They came together to create a fair plan, and we look forward to customers receiving these refunds in a timely, efficient manner.”
Following completion of the refund process, Black Hills will file a final report with the Commission detailing the total amounts refunded to customers and escheated to the state.
The refund plan follows Commission approval of the utility’s rate increase request in December. Those rates became effective Jan. 1, replacing the interim rates that had been in place since Aug. 1, 2025.
Under the new rates, the average monthly impact to bills is $2.85 for residential customers, $5.34 for small commercial customers and $72.01 for large commercial customers.
Additional information for Black Hills customers is available here.