Black Hills Corp (NYSE: BKH) said its electric utility filed a rate review with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission seeking $50.6 million in new annual revenue to recover roughly $523 million of investments since 2014 to serve about 75,000 customers in South Dakota.
The filing uses a 53.2% equity / 46.8% debt capital structure and requests a 10.5% return on equity. The company seeks interim rates effective 180 days after filing and final rates in Q1 2027.
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Positive
Requesting $50.6M in new annual revenue for South Dakota operations
Seeks recovery of approximately $523M of investments since 2014
Interim rates requested to become effective 180 days after filing
Filed case based on 10.5% ROE and 53.2% equity capital structure
Negative
Potential upward pressure on bills for about 75,000 South Dakota customers
Pending regulator decision could delay revenue recovery until Q1 2027
In the Feb 19 session, BKH gained 0.03%, reflecting a mild positive market reaction.
Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.
Market Context
This announcement highlights Black Hills’ effort to align South Dakota electric rates with $523M of ...
Analysis
This announcement highlights Black Hills’ effort to align South Dakota electric rates with $523M of grid and reliability investments made since 2014. The utility is seeking $50.6M in new annual revenue based on a 53.2% equity capital structure and 10.5% ROE, with interim rates requested after 180 days and final rates targeted for early 2027. Investors may monitor the South Dakota PUC process, precedent from the recent Nebraska rate case, and how approved terms compare to the filing assumptions.
Key Figures
Requested new annual revenue:$50.6 millionInvestments since last review:$523 millionSouth Dakota electric customers:75,000 customers+5 more
Requested new annual revenue
$50.6 million
Sought in South Dakota electric rate review
Investments since last review
$523 million
Critical electric investments in South Dakota since 2014 rate review
South Dakota electric customers
75,000 customers
Customers served by the South Dakota electric utility
Total utility customers
1.37 million customers
Natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states
Capital structure
53.2% equity / 46.8% debt
Proposed basis for South Dakota rate review
Requested ROE
10.5%
Return on equity in South Dakota rate review filing
Interim rate timing
180 days
Requested effective date after filing for interim rates
Final rate timing
First quarter 2027
Target timing for finalized South Dakota electric rates
Nebraska gas rate settlement enabling recovery of $453M investments.
24h Move is the share-price change in the day after each event; other market factors may also have contributed.
Key Terms
rate review, public utilities commission, capital structure, return on equity
4 terms
rate reviewregulatory
"has filed a rate review application with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission"
Rate review is a regulatory check where an insurer, utility, or other regulated service provider submits proposed price or premium increases to a government agency for examination and possible approval or modification. It matters to investors because the outcome determines how much revenue the company can charge customers, affecting earnings, profit margins and demand; think of it like a landlord asking the city for permission to raise rents, with regulators able to limit or reshape the increase.
public utilities commissionregulatory
"with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requesting recovery"
A public utilities commission is a government agency that oversees and regulates essential services such as electricity, water, and natural gas to ensure they are provided safely, reliably, and at fair prices. For investors, it matters because these agencies influence the profitability and stability of utility companies, which are often seen as steady, reliable investments due to their regulated nature.
capital structurefinancial
"The request is based on a capital structure of 53.2% equity and 46.8% debt"
Capital structure is the way a company finances its operations and growth by using different sources of money, such as borrowed funds (loans or bonds) and owner’s equity (investments from owners or shareholders). It’s like a recipe for baking a cake, where the balance of ingredients affects the final product's strength and taste; similarly, the mix of debt and equity influences a company's stability and risk. For investors, understanding a company's capital structure helps gauge how risky it might be to invest or lend money.
"and a return on equity of 10.5%. The company is seeking interim rates"
Return on equity shows how effectively a company uses its shareholders' money to generate profit. It is calculated by dividing the company's net profit by its shareholders' equity, indicating how much profit is earned for each dollar invested by owners. Higher return on equity suggests the company is good at turning investments into earnings, which can be an important factor for investors assessing its profitability and efficiency.
RAPID CITY, S.D., Feb. 19, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced that its electric utility has filed a rate review application with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) requesting recovery of the necessary capital infrastructure and operational costs required to deliver safe, reliable electric service to approximately 75,000 customers in South Dakota.
The company is seeking $50.6 million in new annual revenue for recovery of approximately $523 million of critical investments since its last rate review in 2014 and increased costs of delivering safe and reliable electric service to homes and businesses. This includes investments to strengthen the electric grid, maintain reliability and reduce wildfire risk.
“For more than a decade, we have held our base rates unchanged while maintaining the safe and reliable service our customers and communities depend upon,” said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp. “Our customers have benefited from our critical infrastructure investments and prudent cost management, which support our ability to successfully operate, maintain, and modernize our electric system while supporting our customers’ growing energy requirements during that decade.”
The request is based on a capital structure of 53.2% equity and 46.8% debt and a return on equity of 10.5%. The company is seeking interim rates to be effective 180 days after the filing, with new rates to be finalized in the first quarter of 2027. The rate review application can be accessed on the South Dakota PUC’s website later today or tomorrow.
Black Hills Corporation Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) is a customer-focused, growth-oriented utility company with a tradition of improving life with energy and a vision to be the energy partner of choice. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, the company serves 1.37 million natural gas and electric utility customers in eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
Investor Relations Sal Diaz 605-399-5079 Investorrelations@blackhillscorp.com
24-Hour Media Relations Line 888-242-3969
FAQ
AI-generated questions and answers. How Rhea-AI works. Not financial advice.
What did Black Hills Corp (BKH) request in its February 19, 2026 South Dakota filing?
They requested $50.6 million in new annual revenue to recover about $523 million of investments. According to the company, the request covers capital and operating costs to serve roughly 75,000 customers.
When would interim and final rates from the BKH South Dakota rate review take effect?
Interim rates are requested to be effective 180 days after the filing, with final rates expected in Q1 2027. According to the company, that timeline reflects the requested provisional and final PUC actions.
How did Black Hills Corp (BKH) justify the requested return and capital structure in the filing?
The filing is based on a 53.2% equity / 46.8% debt capital structure and requests a 10.5% return on equity. According to the company, those metrics underlie the revenue requirement calculation.
How many South Dakota customers would be affected by the BKH rate request?
About 75,000 electric customers in South Dakota would be covered by the requested rate change. According to the company, the filing aims to fund safe, reliable service and grid investments for those customers.
Where can investors view the Black Hills Corp (BKH) South Dakota rate review filing?
The filing will be available on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission website later the same day or the next day. According to the company, the PUC site will host the full application and supporting exhibits.
