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(Iowa) -- The Iowa Utilities Commission has opened an investigation into Black Hills Energy's compliance with pipeline safety regulations.
The decision comes after a June 2025 inspection of Black Hills' natural gas pipelines in 18 communities in northwest Iowa where inspectors found over 100 safety issues across 16 violation categories. The IUC says none of the findings were a threat to the public, though the number of violations and delays in implementing necessary corrections has prompted a broader, statewide inspection of the company's safety practices.
The IUC had initially opened an investigation into Black Hills Energy's safety compliance practices in its Spencer Unit, though it later decided to expand the review statewide. IUC will wait for the results of the statewide safety compliance review before reaching a final decision regarding civil penalties for the company's safety violations in the Spencer Unit.