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PUC approves Black Hills economic development plan, accepts amended settlement in staff complaint
Summary
The commission approved Black Hills Power's 2025 economic development report and 2026 plan and approved an amended settlement stipulation resolving a PUC staff complaint; the company pledged new grant certifications to bar lobbying uses of funds.
The Public Utilities Commission approved Black Hills Power’s 2025 economic development report and its 2026 economic development plan, and separately approved an amended settlement stipulation in a staff complaint against the company.
Black Hills representatives summarized the 2025 program and said the company spent about $100,000 in 2025 (below a forecasted $150,000) and expects to resume a 2026 budget near prior levels (around $150,000–$155,000). Company speakers described grant support for local economic development organizations, a site‑selection GIS tool subscription shared with GOED and local partners, and training and capacity building. The company said it had revised grant application language to require applicants to certify funds would not be used for lobbying or political advertising.
Staff reviewed the filing and two sets of data requests and recommended approval. Commissioners thanked the company for changes on lobbying and political‑activity safeguards and voted to approve both the 2025 report and the 2026 plan.
In a separate addendum item, the commission also approved an amended settlement stipulation and agreement resolving a staff complaint. Black Hills asked for clarity on how the company should proceed with future permit application steps; staff said it will continue completeness reviews and suggested applicants identify which application requirements are not applicable to streamline future filings. The commission encouraged pre‑filing coordination with staff to avoid unnecessary work.
