(Des Moines)--The Iowa Utilities Commission held a hearing at their offices in Des Moines Thursday after an inspection last June of the Black Hills Energy service area in Spencer found more than 100 safety issues spanning 16 different categories. The I-U-C say none of the findings posed a threat to the public, but they are concerned about the high number of problems identified. They also say there are issues in other service areas across the state, including Council Bluffs. Black Hills Energy attorney Adam Buhrman (ber-man) acknowledged the company needs to improve its practices.

Black Hills Energy provides natural gas to 133 Iowa communities. The commission questioned staffing levels and said Black Hills Energy has more than three times as many probable violations as utilities such as MidAmerican Energy. Company gas operations vice president Kevin Jarosz (jar-ooos) called the findings eye-opening.

The commission will consider the testimony and other evidence in deciding what penalties and corrections are needed.