The Early Years Rates in Early 1900's. Consumer Deposits Where consumers own the property served, no deposit is required. Tenants are required to make a $5.00 cash deposit unless account is guaranteed by property owner. Rate Schedules - 1910 Consolidated Power and Light Company of South Dakota Power Rate:
A fixed charge of $1.00 per month for each horsepower capacity of equipment installed, plus, a meter charge of $0.02 per kilowatt-hour for all current used: Quantity Discounts:
1st $300.00 of bill, net.
2nd $300.00 of bill, 10% discount.
3rd $300.00 of bill, 20% discount.
over $900.00 of bill, 30% discount. Commercial Lighting Rates: All lighting in Lead, Terry, and Portland Monthly minimum of $1.50 for each meter installed.
10 cents per kWh for first 30 hours use connected load.
8 cents per kWh for second 30 hours use connected load.
5 cents per kWh for all in excess. Residential Rate in Central City and Terraville Monthly minimum of $2.00 for each meter installed.
20 percent discount if bill is paid by 10th of month.
This makes monthly minimum of $1.50 net.
15 cents per kWh.
20 percent discounted bill if paid by 10th of the month.
First cents per kWh net. Business Rate in Central City and Terraville Monthly minimum of $2.00 for each meter installed.
No discount.
20 cents per kWh for first 30 hours use connected load.
8 cents per kWh for next 120 hours use connected load.
4 cents per kWh for all excess.
No cash or other discounts. Residential Rate in Deadwood Monthly maximum of $1.60 for each meter installed.
10 cents per kWh.
No cash or other discounts. Business Rate in Deadwood Monthly minimum of $1.50 for each meter installed.
10 cents per kWh.
A guarantee to pay a minimum monthly bill of $25.00 reduces the rate to 7 1/2 cents per kWh.
A guarantee to pay a minimum bill of $50.00 reduces the rate to 6 cents per kWh.
No cash or other discounts. Business and Residential Rates in Belle Fourche Monthly minimum of $1.50 for each meter installed.
10 cents per kWh.
No cash or other discounts. Ornamental Street Lighting Systems in Deadwood and Belle Fourche Fixtures five 60 watt lamps (115-230 volt multiple)
4 lamps lighted dusk to midnight.
1 lamp lighted from dusk to daylight.
Per fixture: Month: $6.00 Year: $72.00 Ornamental Street Lighting Systems in Lead Fixtures five watt lamps (115-230 volt multiple)
4 lamps lighted from dusk to midnight.
1 lamp lighted from dusk to daylight.
Per fixture: Month: $6.75 Year: $81.00 Fixtures for 60 watt lamp
3 lamps lighted dusk to midnight.
1 lamp lighted dusk to daylight.
Per fixture: Month: $5.50 Year: $66.00 Meter Rates to Municipalities Deadwood: 7 1/2 cents per kWh Minimum $1.60
Lead: 10-8-5 cents per kWh Minimum $1.50 (same as commercial customers).
Belle Fourche: 10 cents per kWh Minimum of $1.50 Cooking and Heating Rate: Current is supplied for cooking and heating at 5 cents per kWh with no minimum charge where lighting meter is installed in the same premises. Sign and Decorative Lighting A flat rate of 10 cents per month for 2 candlepower, 10-watt carbon sign lamps, including maintenance. Service dusk to midnight, controlled by automatic switches operated by flashing circuits. Rates-Dakota Power Company - 1912 Residential:
First 10 kWh at 12.5 cents per kWh
Next 100 kWh at 10 cents per kWh
Next 100 kWh at 9 cents per kWh
Next 100 kWh at 8 cents per kWh
Next 100 kWh at 7 cents per kWh
Next 100 kWh at 6 cents per kWh
All over 510 kWh at 5 cents per kWh
Minimum Monthly Charge $1.00 Commercial Lighting Rate:
First 30 hours use of total connected load at 15 cents per kWh.
Next 120 hours use of total connected load at 8 cents per kWh.
Balance at 4 cents per kWh.
Minimum $1.00 per month, as above. Motor Power Rate:
Up to 100 kWh 10 cents per kWh
Up to 200 kWh 9 cents per kWh
Up to 300 kWh 8 cents per kWh
Up to 400 kWh 7 cents per kWh
Up to 500 kWh 6 cents per kWh
All over 500 kWh 5 cents per kWh
Minimum charge of $1.00 per hp connected per month. While much activity was going on in the Northern Black Hills, the Rapid City Light and Gas Company began furnishing the city of Rapid City with electric service. Lighting Rates - 1897 On and after September first the old rates for electric lights will be in force and effect as follows:
One arc light until 10 o'clock, per month, $7.00.
One arc light until 12 o'clock, per month, $7.50.
Two arc lights until 10 o'clock, per month, $12.00.
Two arc lights until 12 o'clock, per month, $13.00.
Each additional light, $5.00. Incandescent lights for business houses:
Two lights per month, each $1.00.
Next four lights per month, each $ .75.
Next four lights per month, each $ .60.
Each additional light, $ .50. Residential lights:
Two lights per month, $1.50.
Three lights per month, $2.00.
Four lights per month, $2.50.
Five lights per month, $3.00.
Each additional light, $ .40. It is interesting to note the strong belief in the "free-enterprise system" by the individuals and groups who recognized the demand for electrical energy and supplied that demand. Every company serving the communities that made up Black Hills Power and Light Company was, from the beginning, privately owned and operated by individuals. All of them succeeded. Back to Table of Contents |