From Canon City’s Energy Future
Black Hills Energy Botched Its Rate Increase Notice, PUC Demands Do-Over
Material errors in the original Customer Notice from Black Hills Energy in June of 2024 made it impossible for customers to determine the real impact of BHE’s proposed large rate increase to their utility bills.
The local citizen group, Canon City’s Energy Future (CCEF) (established 2018), questions the confusing information.
“BHE officials presented information to Canon City in mid-May that no increase was coming before 2030, and in fact they showed we could expect a 7%-8% DECREASE by 2030,” said CCEF committee member Steve Andrews, “one month later they proposed as much as an 18% rate increase.”
“The BHE notice sent to all customers in mid-June 2024 was loaded with errors, not mere ‘typos’ as the company, argued,” Andrews said. “BHE’s filing at the Public Utilities Commission in mid-June contained even more contradictory information stating a 20.46% increase to both business and residential customers.”
PUC Trial Staff together with the Office of the Utility Consumer Advocate (UCA) confronted BHE with at least some of these issues October 18th in a Joint Motion requiring an immediate corrected Customer Notice be done at BHE expense. The motion also listed other items.
“A do-over five months after it was botched does not inspire confidence, nor can it hide the enormity of the increase BHE wants to inflict onto rural Colorado customers,” stated Andrews.
Between now and the end of the year, this issue is moving quickly through Public Comment and Public Hearing. Here are four important meetings:
Tues. Nov. 12th 5pm-6:30pm – PCC Fremont Campus, 51320 US Hwy 50 Rm 146 Canon City
Thurs. Nov. 14th 6pm at Canon City Hall, 128 Main St – with the Utility Consumer Advocate
Mon. Nov. 18th 5:30pm – Florence City Hall, 600 W 3rd St – Informational meeting on how to provide input to the PUC
Tues. Nov. 19th 5pm-7pm Canon City Hall – Public Comment Hearing with the Public Utilities Commissioners.
The volunteer members of Canon City’s Energy Future group encourage you to come learn why the Utility Consumer Advocate recommends NO RATE INCREASE for BHE. Then testify at a full hearing with the Colorado PUC on Nov 19 to push back on the proposed 18% rate increase to your electric bill.