06/99: Black Hills Power and Light agreed to freeze its rates for 5 years, until January 1, 2005. This continued a 5-year freeze begun in 1995. South Dakota’s electric rates were among the lowest in the Nation, and some studies have indicated retail competition in such low-cost rural areas could cause rates to rise.

02/99: A study by the University of South Dakota Business Research Bureau commissioned by the rural cooperatives stated that under restructuring, cooperatives would see rates increase.

01/98: The Legislative Research Council hosted an informational forum on developments in utility competition. This was the first time the State Legislature addressed restructuring of the electric industry. Current law allows retail wheeling for new, large customers.