RAPID CITY, S.D. – Black Hills Energy has sent in an application to the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to amend the tariffs it’s paid by customers who also generate some of their own power.
In a statement, the company wrote, “The proposed amendment would allow customers installing new generation going forward to be equitably paid for the energy they produce while covering their share of system costs, keeping energy rates low for all customers.”
Officials with a renewable energy company – GenPro Solutions – say the move will impact those who are considering alternative energy sources. proposed tariff is put in place, the financial consequences tor renewable energy user will be significant-wiping out most all the savings renewable energy users see when switching to their own power supply.
DeLange says it would deter people from moving to alternative energy because the financial incentive will no longer be there. Black Hills Energy says it would not discourage renewable energy generation and says they support the expansion of renewable energy in the region. There is a grandfather clause for those who are in the program now, where they won’t be affected until May 31st of 2041. The amendment hasn’t passed yet and is only in the first stages of review.
