BLACK HILLS ENERGY SUPPORTS ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY BEAUTIFICATION PROJECT IN AURORA, NEB.

Black Hills Contact Information:
Bob McKeon 402-943-9143
Black Hills Media Line 866-243-9002

YORK, Neb., Jan. 13, 2009 – Black Hills Energy has provided energy to communities for many years. Now, through a contribution to the City of Aurora, Neb., it is providing positive energy for the environment.
Black Hills Energy has contributed $700 for tree plantings at Lincoln Park in Aurora. It is one of the “pocket parks” the city is creating in the community.

“Trees are an integral part of community green spaces, and green spaces in the form of parks beautify communities and improve the quality of life,” said Dave Micek, operations supervisor for Black Hills Energy. “We’re glad to support the City of Aurora pocket park initiative with a gift that will enable the planting of trees in Lincoln Park.”

In addition to improving the landscape and community beautification, trees also have environmental and energy conservation benefits. Trees help purify air by absorbing pollutants from fossil fuels. The average tree will, in its lifetime, consume 1 ton of carbon dioxide and convert it to oxygen in the process, which helps offset the effect of greenhouse gasses. Trees also help stop erosion, lower cooling costs by providing shade, and improve neighborhoods by serving as sound barriers. They create habitat for birds and other wildlife, even in urban settings.

Each spring, Black Hills plants trees in its service areas as part of the company’s Power of Trees program. Black Hills partners with local volunteer groups to plant trees and communicate the benefits of trees and how to properly plant and maintain them so that their benefits are long term.

“The Power of Trees is an opportunity to spread the news that we can all play a part in nurturing nature,” Micek said. “As we support tree planting initiatives and provide information on the benefits of trees, as well as how to plant and care for them, we hope that these important messages will spread and serve as a catalyst for other tree-planting projects.”

Black Hills Energy serves 197,000 natural gas customers in 110 eastern Nebraska communities. Black Hills Energy is part of Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH) — a diversified energy company with a tradition of exemplary service and a vision to be the energy partner of choice — based in Rapid City, S.D. The company has other main offices in Golden, Colo., and Omaha, Neb. Black Hills Corp.’s regulated utilities serve 750,000 electric and natural gas utility customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. The company’s non-regulated businesses generate wholesale electricity, produce natural gas, oil and coal, and market energy. More information is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.

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