BLACK HILLS CORP /SD/ - Quarter Report: 2024 March (Form 10-Q)

BLACK HILLS CORP /SD/ - Quarter Report: 2024 March (Form 10-Q)

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10-Q

Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

Form

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from __________ to __________

Commission File Number

Incorporated in IRS Identification Number

Registrant’s telephone number ()

Former name, former address, and former fiscal year if changed since last report

NONE

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to submit such files). ☒ No ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the Registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).Yes ☐ No

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock as of the latest practicable date.


Class	Outstanding at April 30, 2024
Common stock, $1.00 par value		shares

TABLE OF CONTENTS


		Page
Glossary of Terms and Abbreviations		3
Forward-Looking Information		6

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION		7

Item 1.	Financial Statements - unaudited	7
	Consolidated Statements of Income	7
	Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income	8
	Consolidated Balance Sheets	9
	Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows	11
	Consolidated Statements of Equity	12
	Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements	13
	Note 1. Management’s Statement	13
	Note 2. Regulatory Matters	14
	Note 3. Commitments, Contingencies and Guarantees	15
	Note 4. Revenue	15
	Note 5. Financing	16
	Note 6. Earnings Per Share	17
	Note 7. Risk Management and Derivatives	17
	Note 8. Fair Value Measurements	20
	Note 9. Other Comprehensive Income	22
	Note 10. Employee Benefit Plans	23
	Note 11. Income Taxes	23
	Note 12. Business Segment Information	24
	Note 13. Selected Balance Sheet Information	24
	Note 14. Subsequent Events	25

Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	26
	Executive Summary	26
	Recent Developments	26
	Results of Operations	27
	Consolidated Summary and Overview	27
	Non-GAAP Financial Measure	28
	Electric Utilities	28
	Gas Utilities	31
	Corporate and Other	32
	Consolidated Interest Expense, Other Income and Income Tax Expense	33
	Liquidity and Capital Resources	33
	Cash Flow Activities	33
	Capital Resources	35
	Credit Ratings	35
	Capital Requirements	35
	Critical Accounting Estimates	36
	New Accounting Pronouncements	36

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	36
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	36

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	36
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	36
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	36
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	37
Item 5.	Other Information	37
Item 6.	Exhibits	37

Signatures		38

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GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS

The following terms and abbreviations appear in the text of this report and have the definitions described below:


AFUDC	Allowance for Funds Used During Construction
AOCI	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
APSC	Arkansas Public Service Commission
Arkansas Gas	Black Hills Energy Arkansas, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas services to customers in Arkansas (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
ASU	Accounting Standards Update as issued by the FASB
ATM	At-the-market equity offering program
Availability	The availability factor of a power plant is the percentage of the time that it is available to provide energy.
BHC	Black Hills Corporation; the Company
Black Hills Colorado IPP	Black Hills Colorado IPP, LLC a 50.1% owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Generation
Black Hills Electric Generation	Black Hills Electric Generation, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings, providing wholesale electric capacity and energy primarily to our Electric Utilities.
Black Hills Electric Parent Holdings	Black Hills Electric Utility Holdings, LLC., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Energy	The name used to conduct the business of our Utilities
Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources (BHERR)	Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings
Black Hills Energy Services	Black Hills Energy Services Company, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas commodity supply for the Choice Gas Programs (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings	Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation
Black Hills Utility Holdings	Black Hills Utility Holdings, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation (doing business as Black Hills Energy)
Black Hills Wyoming	Black Hills Wyoming, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Generation
Choice Gas Program	Regulator-approved programs in Wyoming and Nebraska that allow certain utility customers to select their natural gas commodity supplier, providing for the unbundling of the commodity service from the distribution delivery service.
Chief Operating Decision Maker (CODM)	Chief Executive Officer
Clean Energy Plan	2030 Ready Plan that establishes a roadmap and preferred resource portfolio for Colorado Electric to cost-effectively achieve the State of Colorado’s requirement calling upon electric utilities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by a minimum of 80% from 2005 levels by 2030. The recommended resource portfolio proposes the addition of 400 MW of clean energy resources to Colorado Electric's system. Colorado legislation allows electric utilities to own up to 50% of the renewable generation assets added to comply with the Clean Energy Plan.
CO2	Carbon dioxide
Colorado Electric	Black Hills Colorado Electric, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Electric Parent Holdings, providing electric services to customers in Colorado (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Colorado Gas	Black Hills Colorado Gas, Inc., an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas services to customers in Colorado (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Common Use System	The Common Use System is a jointly operated transmission system we participate in with Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Powder River Energy Corporation. The Common Use System provides transmission service over these utilities' combined 230-kilovolt (kV) and limited 69-kV transmission facilities within areas of southwestern South Dakota and northeastern Wyoming.
Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio	Any indebtedness outstanding at such time, divided by capital at such time. Capital being consolidated net worth (excluding non-controlling interest) plus consolidated indebtedness (including letters of credit and certain guarantees issued) as defined within the current Revolving Credit Facility.
CP Program	Commercial Paper Program
CPUC	Colorado Public Utilities Commission

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Dth	Dekatherm. A unit of energy equal to 10 therms or one million British thermal units (MMBtu)
EPA	Environmental Protection Agency
FASB	Financial Accounting Standards Board
Fitch	Fitch Ratings Inc.
GAAP	Accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America
Heating Degree Day	A heating degree day is equivalent to each degree that the average of the high and the low temperatures for a day is below 65 degrees. The colder the climate, the greater the number of heating degree days. Heating degree days are used in the utility industry to measure the relative coldness of weather and to compare relative temperatures between one geographic area and another. Normal degree days are based on the National Weather Service data for selected locations.
HomeServe	We offer HomeServe products to our natural gas residential customers interested in purchasing additional home repair service plans.
Integrated Generation	Non-regulated power generation and mining businesses (Black Hills Electric Generation and WRDC) that are vertically integrated within our Electric Utilities segment.
Iowa Gas	Black Hills Iowa Gas Utility Company, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas services to customers in Iowa (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
IPP	Independent Power Producer
IRS	United States Internal Revenue Service
IUB	Iowa Utilities Board
Kansas Gas	Black Hills Kansas Gas Utility Company, LLC, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas services to customers in Kansas (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
MMBtu	Million British thermal units
Moody's	Moody's Investors Service, Inc.
MW	Megawatts
MWh	Megawatt-hours
N/A	Not applicable
Nebraska Gas	Black Hills Nebraska Gas, LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas services to customers in Nebraska (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Northern Iowa Windpower	Northern Iowa Windpower, LLC, a 87.1 MW wind farm located near Joice, Iowa, previously owned by Black Hills Electric Generation. In March 2023, Black Hills Electric Generation completed the sale of Northern Iowa Windpower assets to a third-party.
OCI	Other Comprehensive Income
PPA	Power Purchase Agreement
Ready Wyoming	A 260-mile, multi-phase transmission expansion project in Wyoming. This transmission project is expected to serve the growing needs of customers by enhancing resiliency of Wyoming Electric’s overall electric system and expanding access to power markets and renewable resources. The project is expected to help Wyoming Electric maintain top-quartile reliability and enable economic development in the Cheyenne, Wyoming region.
Revolving Credit Facility	Our $750 million credit facility used to fund working capital needs, letters of credit and other corporate purposes, which was amended on May 9, 2023 and will terminate on July 19, 2026. This facility includes an accordion feature that allows us to increase total commitments up to $1.0 billion with the consent of the administrative agent, the issuing agents and each bank increasing or providing a new commitment.
RNG	Renewable Natural Gas
SEC	United States Securities and Exchange Commission
Service Guard Comfort Plan	Appliance protection plan that provides home appliance repair services through on-going monthly service agreements to residential utility customers.
S&P	S&P Global Ratings, a division of S&P Global Inc.
South Dakota Electric	Black Hills Power, Inc., a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation, providing electric service to customers in Montana, South Dakota and Wyoming (doing business as Black Hills Energy).

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Tech Services	Non-regulated product lines delivered by our Utilities that 1) provide electrical system construction services to large industrial customers of our Electric Utilities, and 2) serve gas transportation customers throughout its service territory by constructing and maintaining customer-owned gas infrastructure facilities, typically through one-time contracts.
Utilities	Black Hills' Electric and Gas Utilities
Wind Capacity Factor	Measures the amount of electricity a wind turbine produces in a given time period relative to its maximum potential.
Winter Storm Uri	February 2021 winter weather event that caused extreme cold temperatures in the central United States and led to unprecedented fluctuations in customer demand and market pricing for natural gas and energy.
WPSC	Wyoming Public Service Commission
WRDC	Wyodak Resources Development Corp., a coal mine which is a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Non-regulated Holdings, providing coal supply primarily to five on-site, mine-mouth generating facilities at our Gillette Energy Complex (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Wyoming Electric	Cheyenne Light, Fuel and Power Company, a direct, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Corporation, providing electric service to customers in the Cheyenne, Wyoming area (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Wyoming Gas	Black Hills Wyoming Gas, LLC, an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Black Hills Utility Holdings, providing natural gas services to customers in Wyoming (doing business as Black Hills Energy).
Wyoming Integrity Rider	The Wyoming Integrity Rider (WIR) is a WPSC-approved tariff that allows us to recover costs from customers associated with ongoing infrastructure replacement, gas meter and yard line replacement projects driven by federal regulation.

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FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q includes “forward-looking statements” as defined by the SEC. Forward-looking statements are all statements other than statements of historical fact, including without limitation those statements that are identified by the words “anticipates,” “estimates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “predicts” and similar expressions, and include statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements that are other than statements of historical facts. We make these forward-looking statements in reliance on the safe harbor protections provided under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements are based on assumptions which we believe are reasonable based on current expectations and projections about future events and industry conditions and trends affecting our business. However, whether actual results and developments will conform to our expectations and predictions is subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that, among other things, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation, the risk factors described in Item 1A of Part I of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K, Part II, Item 1A of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and other reports that we file with the SEC from time to time, and the following:

•

Our ability to obtain adequate cost recovery for our utility operations through regulatory proceedings and favorable rulings on periodic applications to recover costs for capital additions, plant retirements and decommissioning, fuel, transmission, purchased power, and other operating costs and the timing in which new rates would go into effect;

•

Our ability to complete our capital program in a cost-effective and timely manner;

•

Our ability to execute on our strategy;

•

Our ability to successfully execute our financing plans;

•

The effects of changing interest rates;

•

Our ability to achieve our greenhouse gas emissions intensity reduction goals;

•

Board of Directors’ approval of any future quarterly dividends;

•

The impact of future governmental regulation;

•

Our ability to overcome the impacts of supply chain disruptions on availability and cost of materials;

•

The effects of inflation and volatile energy prices; and

•

Other factors discussed from time to time in our filings with the SEC.

New factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking statements emerge from time-to-time, and it is not possible for us to predict all such factors, or the extent to which any such factor or combination of factors may cause actual results to differ from those contained in any forward-looking statement. We assume no obligation to update publicly any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME


(unaudited)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Revenue	$			$

Operating expenses:
Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold
Operations and maintenance
Depreciation and amortization
Taxes - property and production
Total operating expenses

Operating income

Other income (expense):
Interest expense incurred net of amounts capitalized		(	)		(	)
Interest income
Other income (expense), net		(	)
Total other income (expense)		(	)		(	)

Income before income taxes
Income tax (expense)		(	)		(	)
Net income
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		(	)		(	)
Net income available for common stock	$			$

Earnings per share of common stock:
Earnings per share, Basic	$			$
Earnings per share, Diluted	$			$

Weighted average common shares outstanding:
Basic
Diluted

The accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME


(unaudited)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
	(in millions)
Net income	$			$

Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax;
Derivative instruments designated as cash flow hedges:
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled/amortized interest rate swaps (net of tax of $() and $(), respectively)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on commodity derivatives (net of tax of $ and $, respectively)		(	)		(	)
Reclassification of net realized (gains) losses on settled commodity derivatives (net of tax of $() and $(), respectively)
Other comprehensive income, net of tax

Comprehensive income
Less: comprehensive income attributable to non-controlling interest		(	)		(	)
Comprehensive income available for common stock	$			$

See Note 9 for additional disclosures.

The accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


(unaudited)	As of
	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
	(in millions)
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$			$
Restricted cash and equivalents
Accounts receivable, net
Materials, supplies and fuel
Income tax receivable, net
Regulatory assets, current
Other current assets
Total current assets

Property, plant and equipment
Less: accumulated depreciation		(	)		(	)
Total property, plant and equipment, net

Other assets:
Goodwill
Intangible assets, net
Regulatory assets, non-current
Other assets, non-current
Total other assets, non-current

TOTAL ASSETS	$			$

The accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Continued)


(unaudited)	As of
	March 31, 2024			December 31, 2023
	(in millions)
LIABILITIES AND EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$			$
Accrued liabilities
Derivative liabilities, current
Regulatory liabilities, current
Notes payable
Current maturities of long-term debt
Total current liabilities

Long-term debt, net of current maturities

Deferred credits and other liabilities:
Deferred income tax liabilities, net
Regulatory liabilities, non-current
Benefit plan liabilities
Other deferred credits and other liabilities
Total deferred credits and other liabilities

Commitments, contingencies and guarantees (Note 3)

Equity:
Stockholder's equity -
Common stock $ par value; shares authorized; issued and shares, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
Retained earnings
Treasury stock, at cost - and shares, respectively		(	)		(	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)		(	)		(	)
Total stockholders' equity
Non-controlling interest
Total equity

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND TOTAL EQUITY	$			$

The accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS


(unaudited)	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023
Operating activities:	(in millions)
Net income	$			$
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization
Deferred financing cost amortization
Stock compensation
Deferred income taxes
Employee benefit plans
Other adjustments, net		(	)		(	)
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:
Materials, supplies and fuel
Accounts receivable and other current assets		(	)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities		(	)		(	)
Regulatory assets
Other operating activities, net		(	)		(	)
Net cash provided by operating activities

Investing activities:
Property, plant and equipment additions		(	)		(	)
Other investing activities		(	)
Net cash (used in) investing activities		(	)		(	)

Financing activities:
Dividends paid on common stock		(	)		(	)
Common stock issued
Net borrowings (payments) of Revolving Credit Facility and CP Program					(	)
Long-term debt - issuance
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(	)		(	)
Other financing activities		(	)		(	)
Net cash (used in) financing activities		(	)		(	)

Net change in cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents

Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents beginning of period
Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents end of period	$			$

Supplemental cash flow information:
Cash (paid) refunded during the period:
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)	$	(	)	$	(	)
Non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accrued property, plant and equipment purchases at March 31,

The accompanying Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements are an integral part of these Consolidated Financial Statements.

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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EQUITY

(unaudited)

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

(in millions except share amounts)

Value

Additional Paid in Capital

Retained Earnings

AOCI

Non-controlling Interest

Total

December 31, 2023

(

)

(

)

Net income

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

Dividends on common stock ($ per share)

(

)

(

)

Share-based compensation

(

)

Issuance of common stock

Issuance costs

(

)

(

)

Distributions to non-controlling interest

(

)

(

)

March 31, 2024

(

)

(

)

(unaudited)

Common Stock

Treasury Stock

(in millions except share amounts)

Value

Additional Paid in Capital

Retained Earnings

AOCI

Non-controlling Interest

Total

December 31, 2022

(

)

(

)

Net income

Other comprehensive income, net of tax

Dividends on common stock ($ per share)

(

)

(

)

Share-based compensation

(

)

Issuance of common stock

Issuance costs

(

)

(

)

Distributions to non-controlling interest

(

)

(

)

March 31, 2023

(

)

(

)

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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION

Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

(unaudited)

(Reference is made to Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

included in the Company’s 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K)

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Deferred energy and fuel cost adjustments

Deferred gas cost adjustments

Gas price derivatives

Deferred taxes on AFUDC

Employee benefit plans and related deferred taxes

Environmental

Loss on reacquired debt

Deferred taxes on flow through accounting

Decommissioning costs

Other regulatory assets

Total regulatory assets

Less current regulatory assets

(

)

(

)

Regulatory assets, non-current

Regulatory liabilities

Deferred energy and gas costs

Employee benefit plan costs and related deferred taxes

Cost of removal

Excess deferred income taxes

Other regulatory liabilities

Total regulatory liabilities

Less current regulatory liabilities

(

)

(

)

Regulatory liabilities, non-current

Regulatory Activity

Arkansas Gas

On December 4, 2023, Arkansas Gas filed a rate review with the APSC seeking recovery of significant infrastructure investments in its -mile natural gas pipeline system. The rate review requests $ million in new annual revenue with a capital structure of % equity and % debt and a return on equity of %. The request seeks to finalize rates in the fourth quarter of 2024.

Colorado Gas

On May 9, 2023, Colorado Gas filed a rate review with the CPUC seeking recovery of significant infrastructure investments in its -mile natural gas pipeline system. In March 2024, Colorado Gas received final approval for a settlement agreement for a general rate increase which is expected to generate $ million of new annual revenue with a capital structure of % equity and % debt and a return on equity of %. Final rates were enacted on May 1, 2024, and replaced interim rates effective February 13, 2024.

Iowa Gas

On May 1, 2024, Iowa Gas filed a rate review with the IUB seeking recovery of significant infrastructure investments in its -mile natural gas pipeline system. The rate review requests $ million in new annual revenue with a capital structure of % equity and % debt and a return on equity of %. Iowa statute allows implementation of interim rates 10 days after filing a rate review and Iowa Gas plans to implement interim rates, subject to adjustment or refund, effective in May, 2024. The request seeks to finalize rates in the first quarter of 2025.

Wyoming Gas

On May 18, 2023, Wyoming Gas filed a rate review with the WPSC seeking recovery of significant infrastructure investments in its -mile natural gas pipeline system. On January 17, 2024, the WPSC approved a settlement agreement for a general rate increase which is expected to generate $ million in new annual revenue with a capital structure of % equity and % debt and a return on equity of %. New rates were effective February 1, 2024. The agreement also included approval of a extension of the Wyoming Integrity Rider.

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Transportation

(

)

Wholesale

Market - off-system sales

Transmission/Other

(

)

Revenue from contracts with customers

(

)

Other revenues

Total revenues

(

)

Timing of revenue recognition:

Services transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

(

)

Revenue from contracts with customers

(

)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Electric Utilities

Gas Utilities

Inter-segment Eliminations

Total

Customer types:

(in millions)

Retail

Transportation

(

)

Wholesale

Market - off-system sales

Transmission/Other

(

)

Revenue from contracts with customers

(

)

Other revenues

Total revenues

(

)

Timing of revenue recognition:

Services transferred at a point in time

Services transferred over time

(

)

Revenue from contracts with customers

(

)

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Letters of credit (a)

Available capacity

Weighted average interest rates

N/A

(a)

Letters of credit are off-balance sheet commitments that reduce the borrowing capacity available on our corporate Revolving Credit Facility.

Revolving Credit Facility and CP Program borrowing activity was as follows (dollars in millions):

Financial Covenants

Revolving Credit Facility

We were in compliance with all of our Revolving Credit Facility covenants as of March 31, 2024. We are required to maintain a Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio not to exceed to 1.00. Subject to applicable cure periods, a violation of this covenant would constitute an event of default that entitles the lenders to terminate their remaining commitments and accelerate all principal and interest outstanding. As of March 31, 2024, our Consolidated Indebtedness to Capitalization Ratio was to 1.00.

Wyoming Electric

Wyoming Electric was in compliance with all covenants within its financing agreements as of March 31, 2024. Wyoming Electric is required to maintain a debt to capitalization ratio of no more than to 1.00. As of March 31, 2024, Wyoming Electric's debt to capitalization ratio was to 1.00.

Equity

At-the-Market Equity Offering Program

and $(), respectively)

Number of shares issued

June 16, 2023 ATM Program

Proceeds, (net of issuance costs of $() and $, respectively)

Number of shares issued

Total activity under both ATM Programs

Proceeds, (net of issuance costs of $() and $(), respectively)

Number of shares issued

Average price per share

As of March 31, 2024, there were shares issued under the ATM Program, but not settled.

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Weighted average shares - basic

Dilutive effect of equity compensation

Weighted average shares - diluted

Net income available for common stock, per share - Diluted

Restricted stock

Anti-dilutive shares excluded from computation of earnings per share

Derivatives and Hedging Activity

Our derivative and hedging activities included in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, Consolidated Statements of Income and Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income are detailed below and in Note 8.

The operations of our Utilities, including natural gas sold by our Gas Utilities and natural gas used by our Electric Utilities’ generation plants or those plants under PPAs where our Electric Utilities must provide the generation fuel (tolling agreements), expose our utility customers to natural gas price volatility. Therefore, as allowed or required by state utility commissions, we enter into commission approved hedging programs utilizing natural gas futures, options, over-the-counter swaps and basis swaps to reduce our customers’ underlying exposure to these fluctuations. These transactions are considered derivatives, and in accordance with accounting standards for derivatives and hedging, mark-to-market adjustments are recorded as Derivative assets or Derivative liabilities on the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets, net of balance sheet offsetting as permitted by GAAP.

For our regulated Utilities’ hedging plans, unrealized and realized gains and losses, as well as option premiums and commissions on these transactions, are recorded as Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets in accordance with the state regulatory commission guidelines. When the related costs are recovered through our rates, the hedging activity is recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Income.

To support our Choice Gas Program customers, we buy, sell and deliver natural gas at competitive prices by managing commodity price risk. As a result of these activities, this area of our business is exposed to risks associated with changes in the market price of natural gas. We manage our exposure to such risks using over-the-counter and exchange traded options and swaps with counterparties in anticipation of forecasted purchases and sales during time frames ranging from April 2024 through December 2025. A portion of our over-the-counter swaps have been designated as cash flow hedges to mitigate the commodity price risk associated with deliveries under fixed price forward contracts to deliver gas to our Choice Gas Program customers. The gain or loss on these designated derivatives is reported in AOCI in the accompanying Consolidated Balance Sheets and reclassified into earnings in the same period that the underlying hedged item is recognized in earnings. Effectiveness of our hedging position is evaluated at least quarterly.

N/A

Natural gas options purchased, net

N/A

Natural gas basis swaps purchased

N/A

Natural gas over-the-counter swaps, net (b)

Natural gas physical contracts, net (c)

(

)

(a)

(b)

MMBtus of natural gas over-the-counter swaps purchases were designated as cash flow hedges.

(c)

We have certain derivative contracts which contain credit provisions. These credit provisions may require the Company to post collateral when credit exposure to the Company is in excess of a negotiated line of unsecured credit. At March 31, 2024, the Company posted $ million related to such provisions, which is included in Other current assets on the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

Derivatives by Balance Sheet Classification

)

(

)

Noncurrent commodity derivatives

Other assets, non-current

(

)

(

)

Total derivatives designated as hedges

(

)

(

)

Derivatives not designated as hedges:

Liability derivative instruments:

Current commodity derivatives

Derivative liabilities, current

(

)

(

)

Noncurrent commodity derivatives

Other deferred credits and other liabilities

(

)

Total derivatives not designated as hedges

(

)

(

)

Derivatives Designated as Hedge Instruments

Interest expense

(

)

(

)

Commodity derivatives

Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold

(

)

(

)

Total

(

)

(

)

million of net losses related to our interest rate swaps and commodity derivatives are expected to be reclassified from AOCI into earnings within the next 12 months. As market prices fluctuate, estimated and actual realized gains or losses will change during future periods.

Derivatives Not Designated as Hedge Instruments

The following table summarizes the impacts of derivative instruments not designated as hedge instruments on our Consolidated Statements of Income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023. Note that this presentation does not reflect the expected gains or losses arising from the underlying physical transactions; therefore, it is not indicative of the economic profit or loss we realized when the underlying physical and financial transactions were settled.


		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2024	2023
Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging Instruments	Location of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income	Amount of Gain/(Loss) on Derivatives Recognized in Income
		(in millions)
Commodity derivatives	Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold	$	$	(	)
		$	$	(	)

As discussed above, financial instruments used in our regulated Gas Utilities are not designated as cash flow hedges. However, there is no earnings impact because the unrealized gains and losses arising from the use of these financial instruments are recorded as Regulatory assets or Regulatory liabilities. We did t have any net unrealized losses included in our Regulatory asset accounts related to these financial instruments in our Gas Utilities as of March 31, 2024 and the amount was $ million as of December 31, 2023.

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Total

Liabilities:

Commodity derivatives - Gas Utilities

Total

(a)

As of March 31, 2024, we had no commodity derivative assets or liabilities, or related gross collateral amounts, that were subject to master netting agreements.

As of December 31, 2023

Level 1

Level 2

Level 3

Cash Collateral and Counterparty Netting (a)

Total

(in millions)

Assets:

Commodity derivatives - Gas Utilities

(

)

Total

(

)

Liabilities:

Commodity derivatives - Gas Utilities

(

)

Total

(

)

(a)

As of December 31, 2023, $ million of our commodity derivative assets and $ million of our commodity derivative liabilities, as well as related gross collateral amounts, were subject to master netting agreements.

Pension and Postretirement Plan Assets

Fair value measurements also apply to the valuation of our pension and postretirement plan assets. Current accounting guidance requires employers to annually disclose information about the fair value measurements of their assets of a defined benefit pension or other postretirement plan. The fair value of these assets is presented in Note 13 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

Other Fair Value Measures

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and equivalents and short-term borrowings approximates fair value due to their liquid or short-term nature. Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash are classified in Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. Notes payable consist of commercial paper borrowings and are not traded on an exchange; therefore, they are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.

(a)

Long-term debt is valued based on observable inputs available either directly or indirectly for similar liabilities in active markets and therefore is classified in Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy. Carrying amount of long-term debt is net of deferred financing costs.

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)

(

)

Commodity contracts

Fuel, purchased power and cost of natural gas sold

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

Income tax

Income tax expense

Total reclassification adjustments related to cash flow hedges, net of tax

(

)

(

)

Total reclassifications

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

before reclassifications

(

)

(

)

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

As of March 31, 2024

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

Derivatives Designated as Cash Flow Hedges

Interest Rate Swaps

Commodity Derivatives

Employee Benefit Plans

Total

As of December 31, 2022

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

Other comprehensive income (loss)

before reclassifications

(

)

(

)

Amounts reclassified from AOCI

As of March 31, 2023

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

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Interest cost

Expected return on plan assets

(

)

(

)

(

)

(

)

Net amortization of prior service costs

Recognized net actuarial loss (gain)

Net periodic expense (benefit)

Plan Contributions

Contributions to the Defined Benefit Pension Plan are cash contributions made directly to the Pension Plan Trust account. Contributions to the Postretirement Healthcare and Supplemental Plans are primarily made in the form of benefit payments.

Non-pension Defined Benefit Postretirement Healthcare Plan

Supplemental Non-qualified Defined Benefit and Defined Contribution Plans

million compared to $ million reported for the same period in 2023. For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the effective tax rate was % which was comparable to % for the same period in 2023.

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operating segments: Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. Certain unallocated corporate expenses that support our operating segments are presented as Corporate and Other. Corporate and Other also includes business development activities that are not part of our operating segments and inter-segment eliminations. Our operating segments are equivalent to our reportable segments.

Inter-segment revenues

(

)

Operating income

(

)

Capital expenditures (a)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

External revenues

Inter-segment revenues

(

)

Operating income

(

)

Capital expenditures (a)

(a)

Includes accruals for property, plant and equipment as disclosed in supplemental cash flow information in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

Unbilled Revenue

Less: Allowance for Credit Losses

(

)

(

)

Account Receivable, net

(

)

2023

(

)

Materials, Supplies and Fuel

Fuel - Electric Utilities

Natural gas in storage

Total materials, supplies and fuel

Accrued Liabilities

Accrued property taxes

Customer deposits and prepayments

Accrued interest

Other (none of which is individually significant)

Total accrued liabilities

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ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following discussions should be read in conjunction with the Notes contained herein and Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations appearing in the 2023 Form 10-K.

Executive Summary

We are a customer-focused energy solutions provider with a mission of Improving Life with Energy for more than 1.3 million customers and 800+ communities we serve. Our aspiration is to be the trusted energy partner across our growing eight-state footprint, including Arkansas, Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Montana, Nebraska, South Dakota and Wyoming. Our strategy is centered on four critical priorities: Growth—to grow strategically and achieve strong financial performance, Operational Excellence—delivering safe, reliable and cost-effective energy to meet our customers’ needs, Transformation—be a simple and connected company positioned for growth, and People & Culture—retain and attract a talented, engaged and thriving team.

We conduct our business operations through two operating segments: Electric Utilities and Gas Utilities. Certain unallocated corporate expenses that support our operating segments are presented as Corporate and Other. We conduct our utility operations under the name Black Hills Energy predominantly in rural areas of the Rocky Mountains and Midwestern states. We consider ourself a domestic electric and natural gas utility company.

We have provided energy and served customers for 140 years, since the 1883 gold rush days in Deadwood, South Dakota. Throughout our history, the common thread that unites the past to the present is our commitment to serve our customers and communities. By being responsive and service focused, we can help our customers and communities thrive while meeting rapidly changing customer expectations.

Recent Developments

Environmental Matters - Power Plant Greenhouse Gas Regulations

In April 2024, the EPA published final rules addressing control of CO2 emissions from the power sector. The rules regulate new natural gas generating units and emission guidelines for existing coal and certain natural gas generation. The rules create subcategories of coal units based on planned retirement date and subcategories of natural gas combustion turbines and combined cycle units based on utilization. The CO2 control requirements vary by subcategory. We are currently evaluating the impact of these rules and believe that most costs incurred as a result of the new rules will be recoverable through our regulatory mechanisms.

Business Segment Recent Developments

Electric Utilities

•

On April 17, 2024, Colorado Electric filed its 120-Day report with the CPUC, recommending 400 MW of renewable energy resources to advance its Clean Energy Plan. Colorado Electric is proposing a preferred portfolio of resources that will add a 200 MW utility-scale solar build-transfer project, 150 MW of wind energy through a power purchase agreement, and a 50 MW battery storage build-transfer project. The energy resources are expected to be in service between 2026 and 2027 and achieve greenhouse gas emission reductions of an estimated 89% by 2030 off a 2005 base. The final composition of resources and timing is subject to review and approval by the CPUC, which is expected in the third quarter of 2024.

•

On January 11, 2024 Wyoming Electric set a new all-time and winter peak load of 314 MW, surpassing the previous winter peak of 301 MW set on December 26, 2023 and all-time peak of 312 MW set on July 24, 2023.

Gas Utilities

•

See Note 2 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for recent rate review activity for Arkansas Gas, Colorado Gas, Iowa Gas and Wyoming Gas.

•

In January 2024, Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources acquired a RNG production facility at a landfill in Dubuque, Iowa. The facility currently injects RNG into the natural gas distribution system serving Dubuque, which is owned and operated by Iowa Gas. This acquisition represents our entry into the production of RNG as a nonregulated business while leveraging our expertise in owning and operating regulated natural gas pipeline systems, including RNG interconnections. The RNG produced from the landfill facility captures methane that would otherwise vent into the atmosphere. It is delivered under long-term contracts to a third party that purchases the RNG and its related environmental attributes, in conformity with the EPA's Renewable Fuel Standard Program.

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Results of Operations

Certain lines of business in which we operate are highly seasonal, and revenue from, and certain expenses for, such operations may fluctuate significantly among quarterly periods. Demand for electricity and natural gas is sensitive to seasonal cooling, heating and industrial load requirements. In particular, the normal peak usage season for our Electric Utilities is June through August while the normal peak usage season for our Gas Utilities is November through March. Significant earnings variances can be expected between the Gas Utilities segment’s peak and off-peak seasons. Due to this seasonal nature, our results of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, and our financial condition as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations and financial condition to be expected as of or for any other period or for the entire year.

All amounts are presented on a pre-tax basis unless otherwise indicated. Minor differences in amounts may result due to rounding.

Consolidated Summary and Overview


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions, except per share amounts)
Operating income (loss):
Electric Utilities	$	64.6		$	61.1		$	3.5
Gas Utilities		130.8			114.6			16.2
Corporate and Other (a)		(2.1	)		(0.8	)		(1.3	)
Operating income		193.3			174.9			18.4

Interest expense, net		(44.0	)		(43.5	)		(0.5	)
Other income (expense), net		(0.8	)		0.7			(1.5	)
Income tax (expense)		(16.9	)		(14.7	)		(2.2	)
Net income		131.6			117.4			14.2
Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		(3.7	)		(3.3	)		(0.4	)
Net income available for common stock	$	127.9		$	114.1		$	13.8

Total earnings per share of common stock, Diluted	$	1.87		$	1.73		$	0.14

(a)

Includes inter-segment eliminations.

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023:

The variance to the prior year included the following:

•

Electric Utilities’ operating income increased $3.5 million primarily due to new rates and rider recovery driven by the Wyoming Electric rate review and lower operating expenses partially offset by a prior year one-time gain on the sale of Northern Iowa Windpower;

•

Gas Utilities’ operating income increased $16.2 million primarily due to new rates and rider recovery driven by the Colorado Gas and Wyoming Gas rate reviews, favorable mark-to-market adjustments on wholesale commodity contracts and lower operating expenses partially offset by unfavorable weather;

•

Income tax expense increased $2.2 million primarily driven by higher pre-tax income.

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Segment Operating Results

A discussion of operating results from our business segments follows. Unless otherwise indicated, segment information does not include inter-company eliminations and amounts are presented on a pre-tax basis.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

The following discussion includes financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP, as well as another financial measure, Electric and Gas Utility margin, that is considered a “non-GAAP financial measure.” Generally, a non-GAAP financial measure is a numerical measure of a company’s financial performance, financial position or cash flows that excludes (or includes) amounts that are included in (or excluded from) the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. Electric and Gas Utility margin (revenue less cost of sales) is a non-GAAP financial measure due to the exclusion of operation and maintenance expenses, depreciation and amortization expenses, and property and production taxes from the measure.

Electric Utility margin is calculated as operating revenue less cost of fuel and purchased power. Gas Utility margin is calculated as operating revenue less cost of natural gas sold. Our Electric and Gas Utility margin is impacted by the fluctuations in power and natural gas purchases and other fuel supply costs. However, while these fluctuating costs impact Electric and Gas Utility margin as a percentage of revenue, they only impact total Electric and Gas Utility margin if the costs cannot be passed through to our customers.

Our Electric and Gas Utility margin measure may not be comparable to other companies’ Electric and Gas Utility margin measures. Furthermore, this measure is not intended to replace operating income as determined in accordance with GAAP as an indicator of operating performance.

Electric Utilities

Operating results for the Electric Utilities were as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Revenue:
Electric - regulated	$	210.8	$	206.7	$	4.1
Other - non-regulated		11.4		12.0		(0.6	)
Total revenue		222.2		218.7		3.5

Cost of fuel and purchased power:
Electric - regulated		54.3		54.7		(0.4	)
Other - non-regulated		0.5		0.7		(0.2	)
Total cost of fuel and purchased power		54.8		55.4		(0.6	)

Electric Utility margin (non-GAAP)		167.4		163.3		4.1

Operations and maintenance		57.5		57.4		0.1
Depreciation and amortization		35.3		35.1		0.2
Taxes - property and production		10.0		9.7		0.3
		102.8		102.2		0.6

Operating income	$	64.6	$	61.1	$	3.5

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023:

Electric Utility margin increased as a result of the following:


	(in millions)
New rates and rider recovery	$	8.8
Off-system excess energy sales		(2.3	)
Weather		(1.2	)
Other		(1.2	)
	$	4.1

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Operations and maintenance expense was comparable to the same period in the prior year primarily due to $4.5 million of lower outside services expenses, $2.0 million of lower employee-related expenses and $1.3 million of lower generation expenses driven by the timing of planned outages offset by a prior year one-time $7.7 million gain on the sale of Northern Iowa Windpower assets.

Depreciation and amortization was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Taxes - property and production was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Operating Statistics


	Revenue (in millions)				Quantities Sold (GWh)
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Residential	$	62.5	$	59.8		388.8		393.9
Commercial		66.7		62.1		511.8		510.8
Industrial		44.1		38.9		553.6		455.9
Municipal		4.3		4.3		34.2		35.8
Subtotal Retail Revenue - Electric		177.6		165.1		1,488.4		1,396.4
Contract Wholesale		5.4		5.4		148.0		144.7
Off-system/Power Marketing Wholesale (a)		3.4		16.1		115.6		256.9
Other (b)		24.4		20.1		-		-
Total Regulated		210.8		206.7		1,752.0		1,798.0
Non-Regulated (c)		11.4		12.0		28.0		54.4
Total Revenue and Quantities Sold	$	222.2	$	218.7		1,780.0		1,852.4
Other Uses, Losses or Generation, net (d)						101.8		138.3
Total Energy						1,881.8		1,990.7

(a)

Off-system/Power Marketing Wholesale revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower excess capacity, lower commodity prices and warmer winter weather.

(b)

Primarily related to transmission revenues from the Common Use System.

(c)

Includes Integrated Generation and non-regulated services to our retail customers under the Service Guard Comfort Plan and Tech Services.

(d)

Includes company uses and line losses.


	Revenue (in millions)				Quantities Sold (GWh)
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Colorado Electric	$	69.7	$	73.8		555.7		604.5
South Dakota Electric		80.6		86.6		621.1		708.8
Wyoming Electric		60.8		46.7		575.2		484.7
Integrated Generation		11.1		11.6		28.0		54.4
Total Revenue and Quantities Sold	$	222.2	$	218.7		1,780.0		1,852.4


	Three Months Ended March 31,
Quantities Generated and Purchased by Fuel Type (GWh)	2024		2023
Generated:
Coal		680.7		675.0
Natural Gas and Oil		523.4		501.1
Wind (a)		174.0		230.7
Total Generated		1,378.1		1,406.8
Purchased:
Coal, Natural Gas, Oil and Other Market Purchases		288.9		489.8
Wind and Solar (b)		214.8		94.1
Total Purchased		503.7		583.9

Total Generated and Purchased		1,881.8		1,990.7

(a)

Wind generation decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to the sale of Northern Iowa Windpower assets in March 2023.

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(b)

Renewable energy purchases increased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to a new wind energy PPA. In 2022, Wyoming Electric entered into a new PPA with a third party to purchase up to 106 MW of wind energy upon construction of a new renewable generation facility (owned by third party). The new wind generation facility was placed in service in December 2023. The renewable energy from this PPA is used to serve our expanding partnerships with data centers.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
Quantities Generated and Purchased (GWh)	2024		2023
Generated:
Colorado Electric		161.6		160.2
South Dakota Electric		534.6		564.0
Wyoming Electric		215.2		230.6
Integrated Generation		466.7		452.0
Total Generated		1,378.1		1,406.8
Purchased:
Colorado Electric		90.2		197.6
South Dakota Electric		100.6		157.0
Wyoming Electric		295.7		209.8
Integrated Generation		17.2		19.5
Total Purchased		503.7		583.9

Total Generated and Purchased		1,881.8		1,990.7


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
Degree Days	Actual	Variance from Normal	Actual	Variance from Normal
Heating Degree Days:
Colorado Electric	2,507	(6)%	2,751	8%
South Dakota Electric	3,134	(9)%	3,446	5%
Wyoming Electric	2,986	(5)%	3,301	10%
Combined (a)	2,820	(7)%	3,099	7%

(a)

Degree days are calculated based on a weighted average of total customers by state.


	Three Months Ended March 31,
Contracted generating facilities Availability(a) by fuel type	2024	2023
Coal	95.6%	92.7%
Natural gas and diesel oil	96.7%	94.3%
Wind	90.3%	92.5%
Total Availability	95.5%	93.6%

Wind Capacity Factor (a)	39.8%	48.1%

(a)

Availability and Wind Capacity Factor are calculated using a weighted average based on capacity of our generating fleet.

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Gas Utilities

Operating results for the Gas Utilities were as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Revenue:
Natural gas - regulated	$	481.7	$	674.8	$	(193.1	)
Other - non-regulated		27.0		32.1		(5.1	)
Total revenue		508.7		706.9		(198.2	)

Cost of natural gas sold:
Natural gas - regulated		259.9		454.1		(194.2	)
Other - non-regulated		2.0		16.9		(14.9	)
Total cost of natural gas sold		261.9		471.0		(209.1	)

Gas Utility margin (non-GAAP)		246.8		235.9		10.9

Operations and maintenance		78.6		87.1		(8.5	)
Depreciation and amortization		30.4		26.5		3.9
Taxes - property and production		7.0		7.7		(0.7	)
		116.0		121.3		(5.3	)

Operating income	$	130.8	$	114.6	$	16.2

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023:

Gas Utility margin increased as a result of the following:


	(in millions)
New rates and rider recovery	$	13.1
Mark-to-market on non-utility natural gas commodity contracts		3.7
Retail customer growth and usage		1.1
Weather		(7.4	)
Other		0.4
	$	10.9

Operations and maintenance expense decreased primarily due to $5.3 million of lower employee-related expenses, $1.6 million of lower bad debt expense attributable to lower customer billings and $1.2 million of lower travel expenses.

Depreciation and amortization increased primarily due to a higher asset base driven by prior year capital expenditures.

Taxes - property and production was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

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Operating Statistics


	Revenue (in millions)				Quantities Sold and Transported (Dth in millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Residential	$	302.0	$	428.6		27.8		29.9
Commercial		119.8		182.5		13.0		14.0
Industrial		5.1		9.2		0.9		1.1
Other		2.8		1.4		-		-
Total Distribution (a)		429.7		621.7		41.7		45.0
Transportation and Transmission		52.0		53.1		46.7		47.2
Total Regulated		481.7		674.8		88.4		92.2
Non-regulated Services (b)		27.0		32.1		-		-
Total Revenue and Quantities Sold	$	508.7	$	706.9		88.4		92.2

(a)

Gas distribution revenues decreased for the three months ended March 31, 2024, compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to lower commodity prices. Our Utilities have regulatory mechanisms that allow them to pass prudently incurred costs of energy through to the customer. Customer billing rates are adjusted periodically to reflect changes in our cost of energy.

(b)

Includes Black Hills Energy Services and non-regulated services under the Service Guard Comfort Plan, Tech Services and HomeServe.


	Revenue (in millions)				Quantities Sold and Transported (Dth in millions)
	Three Months Ended March 31,				Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023		2024		2023
Arkansas Gas	$	110.7	$	126.6		12.0		11.5
Colorado Gas		117.7		144.9		12.9		14.1
Iowa Gas		61.8		125.5		13.5		14.3
Kansas Gas		50.3		72.2		9.7		11.2
Nebraska Gas		114.3		164.9		27.1		27.1
Wyoming Gas		53.9		72.8		13.2		14.0
Total Revenue and Quantities Sold	$	508.7	$	706.9		88.4		92.2


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024		2023
Heating Degree Days	Actual	Variance from Normal	Actual	Variance from Normal
Arkansas Gas (a)	1,772	(12)%	1,666	(18)%
Colorado Gas	2,743	(3)%	3,087	10%
Iowa Gas	2,898	(16)%	3,247	(6)%
Kansas Gas (a)	2,291	(7)%	2,373	(4)%
Nebraska Gas	2,802	(9)%	3,054	--%
Wyoming Gas	3,156	(3)%	3,624	21%
Combined (b)	2,865	(8)%	3,196	4%

(a)

Arkansas Gas and Kansas Gas have weather normalization mechanisms that mitigate the weather impact on gross margins.

(b)

The combined heating degree days are calculated based on a weighted average of total customers by state excluding Kansas Gas due to its weather normalization mechanism. Arkansas Gas is partially excluded based on the weather normalization mechanism in effect from November through April.

Corporate and Other

Corporate and Other operating results, including inter-segment eliminations, were as follows:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Operating (loss)	$	(2.1	)	$	(0.8	)	$	(1.3	)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023:

Operating loss was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

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Consolidated Interest Expense, Other Income and Income Tax Expense


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Interest expense, net	$	(44.0	)	$	(43.5	)	$	(0.5	)
Other income (expense), net		(0.8	)		0.7			(1.5	)
Income tax (expense)		(16.9	)		(14.7	)		(2.2	)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023:

Interest expense, net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Other income (expense), net was comparable to the same period in the prior year.

Income tax (expense) increased primarily due to higher pre-tax income. The effective tax rate was comparable to the same period in the prior year. See Note 11 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for further information on the effective tax rate.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

There have been no material changes in Liquidity and Capital Resources from those reported in Item 7 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K except as described below.

CASH FLOW ACTIVITIES

The following tables summarize our cash flows for the three months ended March 31, 2024:

Operating Activities:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Net income	$	131.6		$	117.4		$	14.2
Non-cash adjustments to Net income	$	90.4		$	80.8		$	9.6
Total earnings	$	222.0		$	198.2		$	23.8
Changes in certain operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable and other current assets		19.1			104.8			(85.7	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(59.6	)		(127.2	)		67.6
Regulatory assets		54.8			154.7			(99.9	)
	$	14.3		$	132.3		$	(118.0	)
Other operating activities		(2.9	)		(1.8	)		(1.1	)
Net cash provided by operating activities	$	233.4		$	328.7		$	(95.3	)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Net cash provided by operating activities was $95.3 million lower than the same period in 2023. The variance to the prior year was primarily attributable to:

•

Total earnings (net income plus non-cash adjustments) were $23.8 million higher for the three months ended March 31, 2024 compared to the same period in the prior year primarily due to increased Electric and Gas Utility margins driven by new rates and increased rider revenues and lower operating expenses.

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•

Net inflows from changes in certain operating assets and liabilities were $118.0 million lower, primarily attributable to:

Cash inflows decreased by $85.7 million as a result of changes in accounts receivable and other current assets primarily driven by fluctuations in commodity prices and weather conditions;

Cash outflows decreased by $67.6 million as a result of changes in accounts payable and accrued liabilities primarily driven by fluctuations in commodity prices, payment timing of natural gas and power purchases and changes in other working capital requirements; and

Cash inflows decreased by $99.9 million as a result of changes in our regulatory assets and liabilities primarily due to lower recoveries of deferred gas and fuel cost adjustments driven by fluctuations in commodity prices.

•

Cash outflows increased by $1.1 million for other operating activities.

Investing Activities:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Capital expenditures	$	(176.2	)	$	(119.1	)	$	(57.1	)
Other investing activities		(0.7	)		17.6			(18.3	)
Net cash (used in) investing activities	$	(176.9	)	$	(101.5	)	$	(75.4	)

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Net cash used in investing activities was $75.4 million higher than the same period in 2023. The variance to the prior year was primarily attributable to:

•

Cash outflows increased by $57.1 million as a result of higher capital expenditures which were primarily driven by Wyoming Electric's Ready Wyoming electric transmission expansion project and Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources' acquisition of a RNG production facility at a landfill in Dubuque, Iowa; and

•

Cash inflows decreased by $18.3 million for other investing activities primarily due to prior year proceeds from the sale of Northern Iowa Windpower assets.

Financing Activities:


	Three Months Ended March 31,
	2024			2023			2024 vs 2023 Variance
	(in millions)
Dividends paid on common stock	$	(44.4	)	$	(41.4	)	$	(3.0	)
Common stock issued		31.2			27.4			3.8
Short-term and long-term debt borrowings, net		-			(185.6	)		185.6
Distributions to non-controlling interests		(5.6	)		(4.5	)		(1.1	)
Other financing activities		(1.0	)		(5.0	)		4.0
Net cash (used in) financing activities	$	(19.8	)	$	(209.1	)	$	189.3

Three Months Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2023

Net cash used in financing activities was $189.3 million lower than the same period in 2023. The variance to the prior year was primarily attributable to:

•

Cash outflows decreased $185.6 million as a result of prior year net repayment activity under our Revolving Credit Facility and CP Program;

•

Cash inflows increased $3.8 million due to higher issuances of common stock;

•

Cash outflows increased $3.0 million due to increased dividends paid on common stock; and

•

Cash outflows decreased by $4.0 million for other financing activities.

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CAPITAL RESOURCES

See Note 5 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for recent financing updates.

Covenant Requirements

The Revolving Credit Facility and Wyoming Electric’s financing agreements contain covenant requirements. We were in compliance with these covenants as of March 31, 2024. See Note 5 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for more information.

Future Financing Plans

We will continue to assess debt and equity needs to support our capital investment plans and other strategic objectives. We plan to fund our capital plan and strategic objectives by using cash generated from operating activities and various financing alternatives, which could include our Revolving Credit Facility, our CP Program, the issuance of common stock under our ATM program or in an opportunistic block trade. We plan to re-finance our $600 million, 1.037%, senior unsecured notes due August 23, 2024, at or before maturity date.

CREDIT RATINGS

The following table represents the credit ratings and outlook and risk profile of BHC at March 31, 2024:


Rating Agency	Senior Unsecured Rating	Outlook
S&P	BBB+	Stable
Moody's	Baa2	Stable
Fitch (a)	BBB+	Negative

(a)

On January 26, 2024, Fitch reported BBB+ rating and revised to a Negative outlook.

The following table represents the credit ratings of South Dakota Electric at March 31, 2024:


Rating Agency	Senior Secured Rating
S&P	A
Fitch	A

CAPITAL REQUIREMENTS

Capital Expenditures


	Actual		Forecasted
Capital Expenditures by Segment	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024 (a)		2024 (b)		2025		2026		2027		2028
(in millions)
Electric Utilities	$	87	$	409	$	287	$	466	$	199	$	264
Gas Utilities		85		407		387		368		372		373
Corporate and Other		2		24		29		29		27		29
Incremental Projects (c)		-		-		100		400		50		50
	$	174	$	840	$	803	$	1,263	$	648	$	716

(a)

Includes accruals for property, plant and equipment as disclosed in supplemental cash flow information in the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows in the Consolidated Financial Statements.

(b)

Includes actual capital expenditures for the three months ended March 31, 2024.

(c)

These represent projects that are being evaluated by our segments for timing, cost and other factors.

Dividends

Dividends paid on our common stock totaled $44.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024, or $0.65 per share. On April 22, 2024, our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.65 per share payable June 1, 2024, equivalent to an annual dividend of $2.60 per share. The amount of any future cash dividends to be declared and paid, if any, will depend upon, among other things, our financial condition, funds from operations, the level of our capital expenditures, restrictions under our Revolving Credit Facility and our future business prospects.

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Critical Accounting Estimates

A summary of our critical accounting estimates is included in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K. There were no material changes made as of March 31, 2024.

New Accounting Pronouncements

Other than the pronouncements reported in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K and those discussed in Note 1 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, there have been no new accounting pronouncements that are expected to have a material effect on our financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

ITEM 3. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

There have been no material changes to our quantitative and qualitative disclosures about market risk previously disclosed in Item 7A of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)) as of March 31, 2024. Based on their evaluation, they have concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective at March 31, 2024.

Our disclosure controls and procedures are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported, within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting

During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, there have been no changes in our internal controls over financial reporting that have materially affected or are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

For information regarding legal proceedings, see Note 3 of the Condensed Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and Note 3 in Item 8 of our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS

There are no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in Item 1A of Part I in our 2023 Annual Report on Form 10-K.

ITEM 2. UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

The following table contains monthly information about our acquisitions of equity securities for the three months ended March 31, 2024:


Period	Total Number of Shares Purchased (a)		Average Price Paid per Share		Total Number of Shares Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs		Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares That May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
January 1, 2024 - January 31, 2024		1	$	53.43		-		-
February 1, 2024 - February 29, 2024		14,597		51.62		-		-
March 1, 2024 - March 31, 2024		1		51.44		-		-
Total		14,599	$	51.62		-		-

(a)

Shares were acquired under the share withholding provisions of the Amended and Restated 2015 Omnibus Incentive Plan for payment of taxes associated with the vesting of various equity compensation plans.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES

Information concerning mine safety violations or other regulatory matters required by Sections 1503(a) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act is included in Exhibit 95.

ITEM 5. OTHER INFORMATION

None of our directors or officers , , or a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the three months ended March 31, 2024.

ITEM 6. EXHIBITS

Exhibits filed herewithin are designated by an asterisk (*). All exhibits not so designated are incorporated by reference to a prior filing, as indicated.


Exhibit Number	Description
31.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a - 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1*	Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2*	Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes - Oxley Act of 2002.
95*	Mine Safety and Health Administration Safety Data.
101.INS*	Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH*	Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema with Embedded Linkbase Document
104*	Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

BLACK HILLS CORPORATION


		/s/ Linden R. Evans
		Linden R. Evans, President and
		Chief Executive Officer

		/s/ Kimberly F. Nooney
		Kimberly F. Nooney, Senior Vice President and
		Chief Financial Officer

Dated:	May 9, 2024

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