FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 5, 2015              
MEDIA CONTACT: Leah Mohr, deputy executive director, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201 or (605) 280-4327

PUC to hear public comments in Yankton about
NorthWestern Energy's proposed electric rate increase

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission will hold a public hearing in Yankton, S.D., on Thursday, May 14, 2015, to hear comments and questions about the electric rate increase proposed by NorthWestern Energy. The public hearing will begin at 7 p.m. CDT in Meeting Room C-D at the Best Western Kelly Inn, 1607 E. Highway 50 and adjourn at the conclusion of comments and questions from all persons who have arrived before 8 p.m.

On Dec. 19, 2014, the commission received an application by NorthWestern Energy for approval to increase rates for electric service in its South Dakota service territory by $26,509,557 annually or 20.24 percent based on NorthWestern's test year ending Sept. 30, 2014. The company states the proposed increase for a typical residential customer would be $16.76 per month based on average annual usage. The proposed rates may potentially affect approximately 62,100 customers in NorthWestern's South Dakota service territory.

PUC Commissioners Chris Nelson, Kristie Fiegen and Gary Hanson will be present to hear comments from the public. NorthWestern Energy representatives will be available to address specific questions.

Visit South Dakota Public Utilities Commission docket EL14-106 online for more information about the NorthWestern Energy electric rate increase request and related filings submitted to the commission. To access the information, go to www.puc.sd.gov, click on "Commission Actions," "Commission Dockets," "Electric Dockets," "2014 Electric Dockets," and "EL14-106 – In the Matter of the Application of NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Authority to Increase Its Electric Rates." See also the PUC's electric rate increase requests information guide, accessible from the PUC homepage.

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