South Dakota utility regulators approve Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern merger

By: Joshua Haiar

Outlets: South Dakota Searchlight

Published: June 24, 2026

Words: 366

Last Updated: 4 weeks, 1 day ago

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South Dakota utility regulators unanimously approved the merger of Black Hills Energy and NorthWestern Energy on Wednesday in Pierre.

The new utility will be named Bright Horizon Energy, with an estimated total value of $15.4 billion and 2.1 million customers in eight states.

Public Utilities Commission Chairman Chris Nelson said state law makes the approval of mergers the default unless there’s a serious problem discovered.

“It says you shall approve these kinds …

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