Lincoln — Black Hills Energy customers will receive about $4.7 million under a refund plan approved by the Nebraska Public Service Commission (PSC).
The refunds, which will include interest, reflect the difference between interim rates Black Hills began charging its natural gas customers in August 2025 and final PSC-approved rates that took effect Jan. 1, 2026.
The initial request sought to raise rates by $34.9 million annually. Following negotiations, the PSC approved a lower final settlement of $23.9 million in December 2025.
Average residential customers will get back around $15, while commercial customers may get around $131.
The one-time bill credit is expected to appear in mid-2026 after the refund plan is finalized.
If a former customer is owed more than $2, they will receive a check in the mail. Any undeliverable checks, along with refunds of $2 or less, will be turned over to the state in accordance with 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,” Commission Chair Tim Schram said in a news release. “They came together to create a fair plan, and we look forward to customers receiving these refunds in a timely, efficient manner.”
