Ruling Against BNSF Important

Posted on Friday, February 27, 2009

East River General Manager Jeff Nelson says the 100-million dollars the Surface Transportation Board awarded generating cooperative Basin Electric and to Western Fuels is important and nice, but it doesn't amount to much in terms of rates for Sioux Valley Energy members.

The STB last week ordered BNSF to reimburse Basin and Western Fuels 100-million Dollars for overcharges from 2004 through 2008.

BNSF is also ordered to lower its transportation rates by 60% and keep them lowered through 2024.

Nelson says the 100-million dollars translates into about 40-million for basin and 5-million East River and its members like Sioux Valley.

Sioux Valley Electric officials say the award won't impact Sioux Valley's new rates scheduled to take effect in May.