UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
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CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) October 17, 2007
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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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South Dakota | ||||
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(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | ||||
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001-31303 |
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46-0458824 | ||
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(Commission File Number) |
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) | ||
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625 Ninth Street, PO Box 1400 Rapid City, South Dakota (Address of principal executive offices) |
57709-1400 | |||
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(Zip Code) | ||||
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605.721.1700 | ||||
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(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code) | ||||
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Not Applicable | ||||
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(Former name or former address, if changed since last report) | ||||
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
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Item 8.01 |
Other Events |
On October 17, 2007, the Registrant issued a press release jointly with Aquila, Inc. announcing that the Nebraska Public Service Commission approved the proposed acquisition by the Registrant of Aquila’s natural gas utility assets and operations in the State of Nebraska.
The Iowa Utilities Board previously gave its approval for the transfer of utility assets in the State of Iowa. Similar approval applications are pending before state regulatory authorities in Colorado and Kansas.
The press release is attached as Exhibit 99 to this Form 8-K.
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Item 9.01 |
Financial Statements and Exhibits |
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(d) |
Exhibits |
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99 |
Press release dated October 17, 2007. |
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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 hereunto duly authorized.
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BLACK HILLS CORPORATION |
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By: /s/ Mark T. Thies |
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Mark T. Thies |
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Executive Vice President |
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and Chief Financial Officer |
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Date: October 18, 2007 |
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Exhibit Index
Exhibit #
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99 |
Press release dated October 17, 2007. |
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News Release
Media Contacts:
Aquila
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Al Butkus |
(816) 467-3616 |
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Media Relations |
(816) 467-3000 |
Black Hills Corporation
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Barbara Zar |
(605) 721-2366 |
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Investor Relations: |
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Aquila |
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Jason Ketchum |
(816) 467-3274 |
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Toll-free |
(800) 487-6661 |
Black Hills Corporation
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Dale Jahr |
(605) 721-2326 |
NEBRASKA REGULATORS APPROVE BLACK HILLS CORPORATION’S PURCHASE OF AQUILA’S NEBRASKA PROPERTIES
RAPID CITY, SD AND KANSAS CITY, MO, Oct. 17, 2007—Black Hills Corporation (NYSE: BKH) and Aquila, Inc. (NYSE: ILA) today announced that the Nebraska Public Service Commission gave its approval to the proposed acquisition by Black Hills of Aquila natural gas utility assets and operations in the state of Nebraska.
On Oct.16 the Nebraska Public Service Commission entered its order approving the Joint Application of Aquila, Inc. and Black Hills Corporation regarding the sale and transfer to Black Hills of the gas utility assets and operations of Aquila in the state of Nebraska. In Nebraska, Aquila serves approximately 195,000 customers in 110 communities.
The approval order followed a hearing held before the Commission on Sept.10. The joint application was filed in conjunction with the proposed sale by Aquila to Black Hills of gas utility assets located in Iowa, Nebraska and Kansas, together with gas and electric utility assets in Colorado. The Iowa Utilities Board previously gave its approval for the transfer of utility assets in that state. Similar approval applications are pending before state utility regulatory authorities in Kansas and Colorado.
- more-
Add Page 2, Aquila and Black Hills
Black Hills Corporation is an integrated energy company. Our retail businesses are Black Hills Power, an electric utility serving western South Dakota, northeastern Wyoming and southeastern Montana; and Cheyenne Light, Fuel & Power, an electric and gas distribution utility serving the Cheyenne, Wyoming vicinity. Black Hills Energy, the wholesale energy business unit, generates electricity, produces natural gas, oil and coal, and markets energy. More information on Black Hills is available at www.blackhillscorp.com.
Based in Kansas City, Mo., Aquila owns electric power generation and operates electric and natural gas transmission and distribution networks serving approximately 900,000 customers in Colorado, Iowa, Kansas, Missouri and Nebraska. More information on Aquila is available at www.aquila.com.
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