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Local commenter warns of potential 50% rate increase tied to utility grid changes
Summary
During public comment, resident John Hamrick warned that a Black Hills Electric rate case and planned distribution investments could lead to significant rate increases by 2029, linking the changes to state decarbonization mandates and increased demand from electrification and data centers.
FREMONT COUNTY — A resident told commissioners the county and customers should be prepared for sharp electricity rate increases tied to a utility rate case and larger state energy mandates.
John Hamrick, speaking during the public-comment portion of the meeting, said Black Hills Electric is pursuing a distribution-system planning process that seeks a large increase in distribution investments — he cited an internal estimate of a 40% increase in distribution investment that could translate to a 50% rate increase by 2029 if approved by regulators. Hamrick connected the investments to legislative mandates for a carbon‑free grid and raised concerns about reliability as coal generation has been replaced by wind and solar.
Hamrick also criticized Black Hills for not engaging the public fully on the matter and said that responsibility for policy choices lies with the legislature that set the mandates. Commissioners recognized the complexity of state-level energy policy and the utility’s rate request and thanked the commenter for raising the issue; no formal county action was taken on the topic during the meeting.
The remarks were recorded as public comment and do not represent a county analysis or position on pending regulatory filings.
