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Regulatory Matters
 12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2024
Regulated Operations [Abstract]  
Regulatory Matters Regulatory Matters
The Company regularly reviews the need for electric and natural gas rate changes in each of the jurisdictions in which service is provided. The Company files for rate adjustments to seek recovery of operating costs and capital investments, as well as reasonable returns as allowed by regulators. Certain regulatory proceedings and cases may also contain recurring mechanisms that can have an annual true-up. Examples of these recurring mechanisms include: infrastructure riders, transmission trackers, renewable resource cost adjustment riders, as well as weather normalization and decoupling mechanisms. The following paragraphs summarize the Company's significant open regulatory proceedings and cases by jurisdiction. The Company is unable to predict the ultimate outcome of these matters, the timing of final decisions of the various regulators and courts, or the effect on the Company's results of operations, financial position or cash flows.

MTPSC
On July 15, 2024, Montana-Dakota filed a request with the MTPSC for a natural gas general rate increase of approximately $9.4 million annually or 11.1 percent above current rates. The requested increase is primarily to recover investments in system upgrades and pipeline replacement projects enhancing the reliability, safety and integrity of the natural gas system, as well as increased costs to operate and maintain that system. On October 15, 2024, the MTPSC denied Montana-Dakota's request for an interim rate increase of approximately $8.0 million annually or 10.2 percent above current rates. On October 25, 2024, Montana-Dakota filed a motion for reconsideration of the interim rate increase. On January 14, 2025, the MTPSC approved an interim increase of approximately $7.7 million with interim rates effective on and after February 1, 2025.
NDPSC
On November 1, 2023, Montana-Dakota filed a request with the NDPSC for a natural gas general rate increase of approximately $11.6 million annually or 7.5 percent above current rates. The requested increase is primarily to recover investments in system upgrades and pipeline replacement projects enhancing the reliability, safety and integrity of the natural gas system, as well as increased costs to operate and maintain that system. On December 13, 2023, the NDPSC approved an interim rate increase of approximately $10.1 million annually or 6.5 percent above current rates, subject to refund, for service rendered on and after January 1, 2024. On September 16, 2024, an all-party settlement agreement was filed reflecting an annual revenue increase of $9.4 million or 6.1 percent overall. The reduction from the original filing includes lower incentives and a decreased return on equity. On November 7, 2024, the NDPSC approved the settlement with rates effective on and after December 1, 2024.
Montana-Dakota has a renewable resource cost adjustment rate tariff that allows for annual adjustments for recent projected capital costs and related expenses for projects determined to be recoverable under the tariff. On November 1, 2024, Montana-Dakota filed an annual update to its renewable resource cost adjustment requesting to recover a revenue requirement of approximately $18.3 million annually. The update reflects a decrease of approximately $2.8 million annually from the revenues currently included in rates. The NDPSC approved the renewable resource cost adjustment on January 22, 2025, with rates effective February 1, 2025.

WUTC
On March 29, 2024, Cascade filed a request with the WUTC for a multi-year natural gas general rate increase of $43.8 million or 11.6 percent effective March 1, 2025 and $11.7 million or 2.8 percent to be effective March 1, 2026. Multi-year filings are now required by Washington law that went into effect on January 1, 2022. The requested increase is primarily to recover infrastructure investments necessary to provide safe and reliable service and higher operating costs due to inflation. On December 11, 2024, a multi-party settlement agreement was filed reflecting rate increases of $29.8 million or 7.9 percent proposed to be effective March 1, 2025, and $10.8 million or 2.6 percent proposed to be effective March 1, 2026.

WYPSC
On October 31, 2024, Montana-Dakota filed a request with the WYPSC for a natural gas general rate increase of approximately $2.6 million annually or 14.0 percent above current rates. The requested increase is primarily to recover investments in system upgrades and pipeline replacement projects enhancing the reliability, safety and integrity of the natural gas system, as well as increased costs to operate and maintain that system. This matter is pending before the WYPSC.

FERC
On August 29, 2024, Montana-Dakota filed an update to its transmission formula rate under the MISO tariff for its multi-value project and network upgrade changes for $19.7 million. Rates were effective January 1, 2025.