Otter Tail Power Company Requests Rate Review in South Dakota
Otter Tail Power Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of Otter Tail Corporation (NASDAQ:OTTR), filed a request with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) for permission to increase its electric rates. This request is a result of rising costs to maintain a safe and reliable system while meeting customers' growing electricity demand as economically as possible.
"We understand rising electric costs can be challenging, and we remain focused on managing these increases through smart investments and streamlined operations that allow us to be one of the lowest-cost providers in the nation," said Otter Tail Power President Tim Rogelstad. "Our goal is to continue serving our customers with the safe, reliable, and cost-effective energy they depend on while navigating these challenges together."
The net effect of Otter Tail Power's request is an increase to rates of approximately $5.7 million. If the PUC approves the overall request as filed, the average net increase to customers would be approximately 12.5%. Otter Tail Power last requested a rate review in South Dakota in 2018.
Proposed rates may take effect December 1
The filing starts a process often referred to as a rate case. During this time, the PUC reviews costs the company incurs to provide customers with energy and related services and then determines appropriate prices for customers using that energy. This independent, public process helps ensure transparent rate setting for all customers.
The PUC will establish a schedule for making its decision on the company's request. If the PUC doesn't issue its decision within 180 days, Otter Tail Power can increase rates on an interim basis beginning December 1, 2025. If final rates are lower than interim rates, Otter Tail Power would refund customers the difference with interest. If final rates are higher than interim rates, the company would not collect the difference.
Rate information, including example monthly bill impacts, and updates related to the company's request will be available online at otpco.com/SDRateCase.
Forward-Looking Statements
Except for historical information contained here, the statements in this release are forward-looking and made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "anticipate," "believe," "can," "could," "estimate," "expect," "future," "goal," "intend," "likely," "may," "opportunity," "outlook," "plan," "possible," "potential," "predict," "probable," "projected," "should," "target," "will," "would" and similar words and expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of management. Forward-looking statements made herein, which may include statements regarding 2025 earnings and earnings per share, long-term earnings, earnings per share growth and earnings mix, anticipated levels of energy generation from renewable resources, anticipated reductions in carbon dioxide emissions, future investments and capital expenditures, rate base levels and rate base growth, future raw materials costs, future raw materials availability and supply constraints, future operating revenues and operating results, and expectations regarding regulatory proceedings, as well as other assumptions and statements, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties that may cause our actual results in current or future periods to differ materially from the forecasted assumptions and expected results. The Company's risks and uncertainties include, among other things, uncertainty of future investments and capital expenditures; rate base levels and rate base growth; risks associated with energy markets; the availability and pricing of resource materials; inflationary cost pressures; attracting and maintaining a qualified and stable workforce; changing macroeconomic and industry conditions that impact the demand for our products, pricing and margin; long-term investment risk; seasonal weather patterns and extreme weather events; future business volumes with key customers; reductions in our credit ratings; our ability to access capital markets on favorable terms; assumptions and costs relating to funding our employee benefit plans; our subsidiaries' ability to make dividend payments; cybersecurity threats or data breaches; the impact of government legislation and regulation including foreign trade policy and environmental; health and safety laws and regulations; changes in tax laws and regulations; the impact of climate change including compliance with legislative and regulatory changes to address climate change; expectations regarding regulatory proceedings, assigned service areas, the construction of major facilities, capital structure, and allowed customer rates; actual and threatened claims or litigation; and operational and economic risks associated with our electric generating and manufacturing facilities. These and other risks are more fully described in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated in subsequently filed Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, as applicable. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we expressly disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information.
About the Corporation
Otter Tail Corporation, a member of the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, has interests in diversified operations that include an electric utility and manufacturing businesses. Otter Tail Corporation stock trades on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol OTTR. The latest investor and corporate information is available at www.ottertail.com. Corporate offices are in Fergus Falls, Minnesota, and Fargo, North Dakota.
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