2.3.10

Elkhorn to pay less with M.U.D.
By: Joe Ruff, Omaha World-Herald

About 3,100 homeowners and 300 business customers will pay less for natural gas as the Metropolitan Utilities District acquires the Black Hills Energy gas system that served the Elkhorn area before Omaha's 2007 annexation of the community.

State law gives M.U.D. the right to distribute natural gas within the City of Omaha's boundaries. Since the annexation, the two utilities have been negotiating terms for the takeover.

M.U.D.'s board on Wednesday directed management to put the finishing touches on the $6 million acquisition of Black Hills customers and equipment.

Based on 2009 rates the average homeowner once served by Black Hills could pay about 10 percent less for natural gas, M.U.D. spokeswoman Mari Matulka said. At M.U.D., the average residential customer paid about $777 for natural gas last year.

Customers will get their last Black Hills billing statement in the first week of March, and their first M.U.D. statement on March 26, Matulka said.

A letter explaining the change was sent to customers Wednesday. More details about potential changes to individual bills will be sent to customers Feb. 26. The letters also will be available on the M.U.D. website, http://www.mudomaha.com.

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