IOWA COLD WEATHER RULE ENDS APRIL 1; BLACK HILLS ENERGY SET TO HELP CUSTOMERS NEEDING ASSISTANCE WITH BILL PAYMENTS

Media Contact:
Marv Oppedal 641-792-1548
Laura Roussell 563-585-4022
Black Hills Media Line 866-243-9002

WEST DES MOINES, Iowa, March 19, 2009 – With the warmth of spring approaching, Black Hills Energy reminds its Iowa customers that Iowa’s cold weather rule ends April 1. The Iowa Utilities Board winter disconnection moratorium rule for investor-owned utilities ensures that Iowa residents with special payment arrangements and temperature-related service extensions continue to 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 2, 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 – and the sooner, the better.

“We always want to avoid an interruption of service,” said Marv Oppedal, Iowa external affairs manager for Black Hills Energy. “If any customer feels 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. Black Hills Energy can also provide the names and phone numbers of other local assistance agencies when customers call.

For people wanting to assist those who need help, Black Hills Energy offers the Black Hills Cares program. Customer and employee contributions to Black Hills Cares are matched dollar-for-dollar by Black Hills Energy and the funds are distributed by local assistance agencies to help qualified customers pay for energy-related expenses. In Iowa, funds are distributed through Iowa Community Action Partnership. Black Hills Energy customers can contribute each month by checking the box on their monthly natural gas bill, or make a one-time contribution. Contributions are tax deductible.

Black Hills Energy, a division of Black Hills Corp. (NYSE: BKH), serves 148,000 natural gas customers in 130 Iowa communities. Black Hills Corp. — a diversified energy company with a tradition of exemplary service and a vision to be the energy partner of choice — is based in Rapid City, S.D., with corporate offices in Golden, Colo., and Omaha, Neb. The company serves 750,000 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.blackhillsenergy.com.

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