Black Hills : Energy Extends Timeline to Complete Northeast Nebraska Pipeline

Lincoln, Neb. - Dec. 5, 2016 - Black Hills Energy has informed city leaders, customers and landowners along its nearly 50-mile natural gas pipeline under construction in northeast Nebraska that the project's completion date has been extended.

The timeline extension is needed to complete work that will further guard against corrosion and provide long-term durability on the line, which will serve the growing needs of Black Hills Energy's northeast Nebraska customers and offer economic benefits by opening the area to new businesses seeking safe, reliable energy.

One of those businesses is OCT Pipe of Rockwall, Texas, which recently announced plans to build a 1-million-square-foot production facility in Norfolk to produce drilling and production pipe for major U.S. oil and gas companies. OCT said the $700 million investment would bring 400 jobs to the area and use 500,000 tons of steel a year from nearby Nucor Steel.

A Black Hills Energy spokesman said the construction delay will not impact operations at OCT. 'We are in constant contact with OCT and have worked closely with landowners along the line throughout this process,' said Scott Zaruba senior business development representative for Black Hills Energy. 'We remain committed to the residents and businesses, current and future, that will benefit from the safe, reliable energy this new line will provide for decades to come.'

Black Hills Energy is an energy provider and community partner to approximately 300,000 customers in nearly 300 Nebraska communities. Visit www.blackhillscorp/nenl for more information on the northeast Nebraska natural gas pipeline.

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