Montana-Dakota Utilities files a natural gas price increase request with Wyoming PSC

BISMARCK, ND – May 24, 2019 – Montana-Dakota Utilities announced today that it filed a natural gas price increase request with the Wyoming Public Service Commission.

“Making a request to increase prices is something we do not take lightly; we do our best to balance the cost to customers with the amount of investments we make to our system to ensure safe and reliable natural gas service,” said Nicole Kivisto, president and CEO of Montana-Dakota. “The main reason we are asking for a price increase is because of increased operating costs since our last increase request five years ago.”

The proposed increase is for $1 million annually over current prices, or a 7% overall increase. If approved, it would increase residential customers’ bill by an average of about $4 a month.

The increased operating costs include investments in the natural gas system and increased operation and maintenance costs. The company has invested $6.3 million since its last price increase, which is a 20% increase in total investments in its natural gas system. The investments were necessary to provide safe and reliable service to the company’s 19,000 natural gas customers in nine Wyoming communities.

The Wyoming PSC has up to 10 months to issue a decision on the proposed increase request.

Montana-Dakota encourages customers to use energy wisely. Conservation tips, information on energy assistance and information on the company’s balanced billing program can be found on Montana-Dakota’s website: www.montana-dakota.com.