Black Hills Corp. Announces Colorado Electric’s Plan to Achieve 90% Reduction in Greenhouse Gas Emissions by 2030

Rhea-AI Summary

Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) announced its '2030 Ready Plan' aiming for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, based on 2005 levels. The plan aligns with Colorado's '80 x 30' mandate, proposing 450 megawatts of new renewable energy and battery storage. Key components include 149 MW of wind and 258 MW of solar generation. The Colorado Public Utilities Commission will review the plan, with decisions expected by April 2023, after which a competitive solicitation for resources will occur.

Positive

• 90% reduction in GHG emissions target aligned with state requirements.
• 79% of electricity for Colorado customers to be generated from carbon-free sources by 2030.
• Introduction of 450 MW of renewable energy and battery storage to enhance clean energy supply.

Negative

• The approval of the plan by Colorado PUC remains uncertain and depends on a lengthy review process.
• Challenges may arise in meeting the proposed timelines for bringing renewable energy resources online by 2030.

RAPID CITY, S.D., May 31, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) today announced plans for its Colorado Electric utility subsidiary, doing business as Black Hills Energy, to achieve a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 based on 2005 levels. This milestone, and the journey to 2030, is outlined in the company’s Clean Energy Plan, “2030 Ready Plan,” submitted to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on May 27, 2022.

The plan establishes a roadmap and preferred resource portfolio for Black Hills Energy to cost-effectively achieve the state of Colorado’s “80 x 30” requirement calling upon electric utilities to reduce GHG emissions by a minimum of 80% by 2030.

“Leadership in emissions reduction is nothing new for Black Hills Energy,” said Linn Evans, president and CEO of Black Hills Corp. “Our 2030 Ready Plan builds on a clean energy journey that began over a decade ago, when we began transitioning our fleet to lower emissions natural gas generation and emissions-free renewable generation, while maintaining system safety and reliability.”

“As proposed, our plan will achieve a 90% reduction in emissions and result in 79% of our Colorado customers’ electricity being generated by carbon-free sources by 2030,” Evans added. “We’ll get there by adding 450 megawatts of new renewable energy and battery storage to our Southern Colorado system.”

The preferred resource portfolio recommends the addition of 149 MW of wind and 258 MW of solar generation and 50 MW of battery storage to its Colorado electric system. The final composition of resources will be determined during a competitive solicitation process to be held in 2023, with new renewable energy resources coming online between 2025 and 2030. In accordance with Colorado state statute, Black Hills Corp. and its affiliates would have the ability to own up to 50% of the energy and capacity associated with the clean energy resources developed for a Clean Energy Plan.

“Our ability to serve our customers with more renewable energy is possible in large part due to the flexibility provided by our Pueblo Airport Generating Station,” stated Evans. “The power supplied by our modern, highly-efficient natural gas-fired generating units provides critical operational flexibility and the firm, dispatchable, quick-start resources essential for integrating higher levels of variable renewable resources.”

Black Hills Energy’s 2030 Ready Plan will undergo an extensive review process before the Colorado PUC to evaluate the company’s modeling assumptions and preferred resource portfolio recommendations. This Phase I proceeding will occur over the next several months, with a decision anticipated by April 2023 after which time a request for proposals for renewable resources would commence.

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 1.3 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 and www.blackhillsenergy.com.

Investor Relations
Jerome E. Nichols
605-721-1171
jerome.nichols@blackhillscorp.com

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Caution Regarding Forward Looking Statement
This news release includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the Securities and Exchange Commission, or SEC. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this news release that address activities, events or developments that we expect, believe or anticipate will or may occur in the future are forward looking statements. This includes our ability to obtain Colorado Public Utilities Commission approval to add up to 450 megawatts of renewable energy and battery storage to our Southern Colorado electric system. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that, among other things, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, the risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2021 Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time.

New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward looking statements emerge from time-to-time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

FAQ

What is Black Hills Corp.'s 2030 Ready Plan for reducing emissions?

Black Hills Corp.'s 2030 Ready Plan aims for a 90% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, based on 2005 levels, through increased renewable energy generation.

How much renewable energy will Black Hills Corp. add under the 2030 Ready Plan?

The plan proposes to add 450 megawatts of renewable energy, including 149 MW of wind and 258 MW of solar.

When will the Colorado PUC decide on Black Hills Corp.'s Clean Energy Plan?

A decision from the Colorado Public Utilities Commission on the Clean Energy Plan is anticipated by April 2023.

How will Black Hills Corp. achieve its emissions reduction goals?

Black Hills Corp. will achieve emission reduction goals by transitioning to renewable energy and battery storage solutions.

What percentage of electricity will be generated from carbon-free sources by 2030?

By 2030, 79% of electricity for Colorado customers is expected to be generated from carbon-free sources.