https://solarexaminer.com/tags/south-dakota/Recent content in South Dakota on Solar ExaminerHugoen-usSolar ExaminerSun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://solarexaminer.com/posts/south-dakota-electricity-rate-changes-2026/Sun, 04 Oct 2026 00:00:00 +0000https://solarexaminer.com/posts/south-dakota-electricity-rate-changes-2026/<p>South Dakota did not have a rate change on October 1, 2026. Xcel Energy&rsquo;s rate case was settled in May, with final rates from July 1. Black Hills Energy&rsquo;s case is still open.</p> <p>This article covers Xcel Energy (about 107,000 South Dakota customers) and Black Hills Energy. It does not cover NorthWestern Energy, Otter Tail, MidAmerican, cooperatives or municipal utilities.</p> <h2 id="quick-summary">Quick Summary</h2> <table> <thead> <tr> <th>Item</th> <th>Utility</th> <th>Date</th> <th>Residential impact</th> </tr> </thead> <tbody> <tr> <td>Interim rates</td> <td>Xcel</td> <td>Jan. 1, 2026</td> <td>Higher than final rates</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Final rates</td> <td>Xcel</td> <td>July 1, 2026</td> <td>About +$13.48 a month at 750 kWh</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Interim refund</td> <td>Xcel</td> <td>August and September 2026 bills</td> <td>About $43.52</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Rate moratorium</td> <td>Xcel</td> <td>Until Jan. 1, 2029</td> <td>No base rate increases</td> </tr> <tr> <td>Rate request</td> <td>Black Hills Energy</td> <td>Pending</td> <td>About +$25.13 a month (25%)</td> </tr> </tbody> </table> <h2 id="xcel-energy-settled-below-the-request">Xcel Energy: Settled Below the Request</h2> <p>The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) approved the settlement in Docket EL25-024.</p>