Home
Black Hills Energy focuses on essential services as Douglas County stays at home | Kansas
tech uniform

LAWRENCE, Kan. – March 27, 2020 – Black Hills Energy’s number one priority is the continued safety of its customers and employees. To comply with guidelines from Douglas County’s directive to stay at home, Black Hills Energy has adjusted its response to focus on immediate community needs and has measures in place to ensure it continues to serve its customers in a way that is safe for everyone.

“Black Hills Energy is committed to doing its part to slow the spread of COVID-19 while proving an essential service that keeps us all warm and protected,” said Jerry Watkins, Black Hills Energy Kansas General Manager. “To ensure everyone’s wellbeing, we’ve activated an essential response plan aimed to do both.”

To date, Black Hills Energy has not experienced any significant impacts on the delivery of energy to its nearly 115,000 customers across Kansas. The plan is designed to maintain critical natural gas services for all customers. Under these new guidelines, multiple services will continue including responding to emergency calls, mandated construction work, maintaining a safe system and starting service for a customer.

To support customers who may be impacted by the nation’s response to COVID-19, Black Hills Energy is temporarily suspending nonpayment disconnections for customers. As a result of possible extended periods of isolation, customers may face financial hardships impacting their ability to timely pay their energy bills. The company offers various assistance options to customers such as payment arrangements, budget billing and medical extensions. Visit www.blackhillsenergy.com for more information about these programs.

To safely perform these critical needs, Black Hills Energy is taking extra steps to protect its customers and its employees, including:

  • Crews will continue to respond to all emergency calls and will be wearing appropriate personal protective equipment and following health practices as recommended by the CDC and other health organizations.
  • Paid leave will be provided for employees who test positive or are put under quarantine.

“If someone suspects a gas leak, they should still absolutely call 911. We’ll arrive with other first responders and help people responsibly,” Watkins said. “Our goal is to stay healthy so we can be ready to keep our communities strong,”