To the Editor:

You may have seen Letters to the Editor recently, about Basin Electric and its rates. As president of the Dakota Energy Board of Directors, I’d like to respond and clarify mis-information, because Dakota Energy members deserve the full story.

Basin Electic and East River Electric have delivered safe, reliable and affordable power to Dakota Energy’s members for decades, at some of the lowest wholesale power rates in the county. In 2020, Basin Electic was required to begin filing its wholesale rates with the Federal Energy Regulatory Commision (FERC).

A few Basin members and the Sierra Club filed protests to Basin Electric’s rates. In March, FERC’s own trial staff found that the Sierra Club’s claim should be dismissed, that Basin Electric’s rates to its members were prudent and that Basin Electrict didn’t discriminate against its members by including gains and losses from Dakota Gasification Company.

Unfortunately, in June, A FERC judge - who left FERC shortly after his initial opinion was released - sharply contradicted that of the FERC trial staff. The judge was very critical of the cooperative business model and the means in which Basin Electric, East River Electric and Dakota Energy have been providing reliable and affordable power to rural America, for more than 60 years.

The judge’s opinion is not binding on the FERC, and the process allows for the full commission to review all the opinions and make a final decision, which could take until 2026.

One judge’s opinion does not mean Basin Electric has been overcharging us. Recent court cases have cost cooperative consumers significant amounts of money in legal expenses - which needs to stop. Dakota Energy’s members spoke very clearly the last couple of elections, that frivolous lawsuits are too costly.

We will continue to work with your best interests at heart.

Darrell Raschke
Dakota Energy Board President
Huron