Understanding the Energy Industry and Your Choices

We are big believers in energy choice here at Vista Energy. Even if we didn’t have decades of experience and success with the inner workings of the energy industry, we would still feel that you should have the ability to choose the energy company that’s right for your home and business.

But even with all those companies competing for your business by offering different rates, plans, and incentives, there remains only one company responsible for the energy grid in a given service area. And for over 1.2 million customers throughout eight states: Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota, and Wyoming, that utility company is Black Hills Energy.

Who is Black Hills Energy?

Part of the Black Hills Corporation headquartered in Rapid City, SD, Black Hills Energy is the energy utility that attends to the transmission and distribution of electricity and natural gas to the homes and businesses in its territory. In layman’s terms, this means the company takes care of the lines, poles, meters, billing, and related maintenance in its service area. Thus, in a deregulated energy market where you can switch energy suppliers every year, you still only have one company in charge of the energy infrastructure for an entire region.

What is the Black Hills Choice Gas Program?

If you’re a long-term resident of Wyoming or Nebraska, you’re quite familiar with the annual Black Hills Choice Gas Program. This is when you have the opportunity to change to a new natural gas supplier if you like what it offers in relation to your current company. Typically, the window in which you can sign up for a new plan or company only lasts a few weeks every April, but in the months leading up to this, you receive plenty of information about the rates, plans, and incentives offered by the competing natural gas suppliers so you can make the decision that’s right for you.

How Do I Switch to a New Energy Supplier?

When the Black Hills Choice Gas Selection Period arrives, you can switch to a new natural gas supplier by following these steps:

1. Mail back the selection form(s) Black Hills mailed to you
2. Download a form from the Black Hills website and then mail it in
3. Visit the Black Hills online portal
4. Visit the website of the natural gas supplier of your choice
5. Automatic rollover to your current natural gas supplier

Regardless of which method you choose, you must possess your utility company account number, control number, and the confirmation code for the natural supplier you’re selecting for the upcoming year.

Ultimately, while you enjoy the freedom to choose your favorite energy supplier, Black Hills Energy ensures that you always get the natural gas you need for your home and/or business in a safe and responsible manner.