Customers share with PUC they can’t afford Black Hills proposed rate hike

It was standing room only at the Black Hills Energy public rate hike hearing Tuesday.

Hundreds of customers packed the Pueblo Convention Center where they said they simply can’t afford their current electricity bills.

“My bill used to be $45 dollars a month, now it’s $120,” a man said.

“We are asking the PUC to reject another Black Hills Energy increase, and encourage a movement to renewable energy,” a woman said.

“To be honest to the commission, we can’t afford another seven years like the last seven years,” a woman said.

They all have stories to tell the State’s Public Utilities Commissioners

“People are fighting to keep food on their tables, trying to find ways to pay their utility bills,” said a man.

“People who simply can’t afford another rate increase, people like me who must now choose between paying the electric bill and buying food for their family,” said another man.

Black Hills Energy wants to increase rates by 4.9 percent, about $5 a month for most customers, to pay for their new plant by the Pueblo Airport.

“This particular plant, this LM6000 that’s being built now in compliance with the Colorado Clean Air, Clean Jobs Act is necessary in order to maintain reliability for our customers,” Black Hills Energy vice president, Christopher Burke said.

When asked if rates will go down after the plant is paid for, Burke didn’t answer.

“It would be imprudent of me to speculate as to what might happen in the future,” Burke said.

Customers made it clear Tuesday night, they can’t afford another rate increase if they want to keep the lights on.

“I know five dollars doesn’t seem like much, but the people in this room have worked hard to try to maintain a good standard of living,” One man said. “Now they’re having to scramble to keep their bills paid up.

“Black Hills Energy, you have made me and every other person terrified to live in Southern Colorado.

Tuesday’s hearing was on step in the Public Utilities Commission’s review of the rate case. The next step is a formal hearing with expert witnesses and utility lawyers, which will start in Denver on Oct. 17.