NEBRASKA COLD WEATHER RULE ENDS MARCH 31;
BLACK HILLS ENERGY SET TO HELP CUSTOMERS
NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH BILL PAYMENTS

Media Contact Information:
Bob McKeon (402) 935-4887

LINCOLN, Neb., March 16, 2009 – With the warmth of spring approaching, Black Hills Energy reminds its Nebraska customers that Nebraska's cold weather rule ends March 31. The Nebraska Public Service Commission's winter moratorium rule for investor-owned utilities ensures that Nebraska residents receive the natural gas service they need to keep their homes warm in winter even if they are unable to pay their monthly bills.

On April 1, any customer with a past-due balance will need to have made payment arrangements with the company to avoid a potential disconnection of their natural gas service. Black Hills Energy encourages customers who may be unable to pay their past due natural gas bill to seek help from the company.

"The last thing we want is for someone experiencing financial difficulties to face living in an unheated home," said Jan Davis, Nebraska external affairs manager for Black Hills Energy. "If any customers feel they may have a problem paying their utility bill, we encourage them to contact us right away to set up some type of payment arrangement. There are also programs and local agencies that can provide assistance to those needing help, and we can help customers get in touch with those resources."

Black Hills Energy customer service associates are available around the clock, seven days a week, at
(888) 890-5554. Customers seeking assistance also can contact the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services to see if they qualify for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) or other assistance.

For people wanting to assist those who need help, Black Hills Energy offers the Black Hills Cares program. Black Hills Energy customers (residential or commercial) can contribute each month by checking the box on their monthly natural gas bill, or even make a one-time contribution. Contributions are tax deductible. Black Hills Energy also provides company matching funds. Black Hills Cares funds are distributed in communities in Black Hills Energy's service territory by The Salvation Army's HeatShare energy assistance program to help qualified customers pay for emergency heating and furnace repair bills.

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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