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PUBLIC UTILITIES COMMISSION MEETING
September 25, 1997; 10:00 A.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

Chairman Burg called the meeting to order.  Present were Commissioner Pam Nelson, Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder, General Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest, Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Camron Hoseck, Fixed Utilities Division Director Greg Rislov, Telecommunications Analyst Harlan Best, Utility Analysts Bob Knadle, Dave Jacobson, Steve Wegman and Tammi Stangohr, Business Manager Sue Cichos, Engineer Martin Bettmann, Consumer Representative Leni Healy and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt. 

Also present were Rich Coit, SDITC; Colleen Sevold, U S WEST; and Bob Miller, South Dakota Electric Utility Companies.

Joining the meeting by phone were Robert Marmet, Dakota Telecommunications Group; Susan Stewart and Greg Porter, MidAmerican Energy; Mary Lohnes, Midco Communications; Alan Dietrich and Tom Hitchcock, Northwestern Public Service; Jennifer Erickson, Pam Natural Gas; Bev Cederburg, Rick Wolters, Michele Engel and Loren Hiatt, AT&T; Bill Heaston and Jon Lehner, U S WEST; Roger Specht and Greg Ludvigsen, Gemini Companies; Pamela Melton, LCI; Jim Wilcox and Gary O'Hara, NSP; John Winter and Harlan Mammen, AMPI; and Dale Strasser, City of Freeman.

Administration

1.         Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meeting Held On September 9, 1997.  (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the minutes of the Commission Meeting held on September 9, 1997.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.            

Consumer Affairs

1.         Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission.  (Consumer Representative:  Leni Healy.)

Ms. Healy presented an update on consumer inquiries and complaints received since the last Commission meeting.

Electricity

1.        EL97-017 IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY THE TOWN OF PICKSTOWN AND CHARLES MIX ELECTRIC ASSOCIATION, INC. FOR APPROVAL OF LIMITED WAIVER OF SERVICE TERRITORY AGREEMENT.  (Staff Engineer:  Martin Bettmann.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Bettmann explained the filing and recommended approval.

Chairman Burg moved to approve the filing.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.      

Gas and Electric

1.      GE97-002       IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY MIDAMERICAN ENERGY COMPANY FOR APPROVAL OF ITS GUIDE TO ENERGY SERVICES PAMPHLET.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Jacobson requested deferral.  Action was deferred.

Natural Gas

1.         NG97-013       IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY NORTHWESTERN PUBLIC SERVICE COMPANY FOR TARIFF REVISIONS.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Mr. Jacobson explained the filing.  Following discussion, Ms. Cremer and Mr. Jacobson both recommended approval.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the filing.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

4.        TC97-052        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF RRV ENTERPRISES, INC. D/B/A CONSUMER ACCESS FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Stangohr recommended approval of the application with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, advance payments and deposits.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the application with the restrictions noted above.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

5.  TC97-067        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF LCI INTERNATIONAL TELECOM CORP. FOR AN AMENDED CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE LOCAL EXCHANGE SERVICE IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Stangohr explained the application and recommended approval subject to rural safeguards and with a waiver of ARSD 20:10:24:02(12).

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the application with the conditions noted above.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.
  

6.      TC97-072        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF SPEER VIRTUAL MEDIA, LTD. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Stangohr recommended approval of the application.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the application.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

7.       TC97-110        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF WORLDCOM TECHNOLOGIES, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Mr. Jacobson requested deferral.  Action was deferred.

8.        TC97-135        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ACCUTEL COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Ms. Stangohr recommended approval of the application.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the application.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

9.          TC97-138        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF KCI LONG DISTANCE, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Stangohr recommended approval with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, advance payments and deposits. 

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the application with the restrictions mentioned above.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

11.             TC97-141        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF INTERNATIONAL TELECOMMUNICATIONS CORP. D/B/A DISCOUNT DIRECT DIALING FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Ms. Stangohr recommended approval of the application.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the application.  Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

2.       NG97-015       IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ASSOCIATED MILK PRODUCERS, INC. PIPELINE, INC, FOR APPROVAL OF CHANGE IN AN INTRASTATE NATURAL GAS TRANSPORTATION RATE.  (Staff Analyst:  Greg Rislov.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Dale Strasser, City of Freeman, and Harlan Mammen, AMPI, addressed the application.  Ms. Cremer recommended that a filing fee and an intervention deadline be established and that the executive director set a procedural schedule.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to assess a filing fee of up to $100,000.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to direct the executive director to set a procedural schedule and that an intervention deadline be established.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

Chairman Burg moved to allow the rate to go into effect on the proposed date subject to refund.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

Rulemaking

1.  RM97-002          IN THE MATTER OF THE ADOPTION OF RULES FOR STANDARDS OF CONDUCT FOR LOCAL DISTRIBUTION COMPANIES AND THEIR MARKET AFFILIATES.  (Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to reject the proposed rules and close the docket.  Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

Telecommunications

1.        TC97-006        IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR REVISIONS TO ITS EXCHANGE AND NETWORK SERVICES TARIFF.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the filing.  Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

2.          TC97-017        IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR REVISIONS TO ITS EXCHANGE AND NETWORK SERVICES TARIFF.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Jacobson explained the filing.  Action was deferred.

3.          TC97-028        IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY NETWAY ADVERTISING, WHITE RIVER, SOUTH DAKOTA, AGAINST GOLDEN WEST TELECOMMUNICATIONS COOPERATIVE, INC. REGARDING INTERNET ACCESS CHARGES.  (Consumer Representative:  Leni Healy.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Mr. Wegman recommended that the company be allowed to withdraw the filing and that the complaint be dismissed.

Chairman Burg moved to accept the withdrawal and dismissal of the complaint.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

10.      TC97-139        IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY GEMINI COMPANIES, INC., SIOUX FALLS, SD, AGAINST U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. REGARDING THE COST OF BASIC PUBLIC ACCESS LINES.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Roger Specht, Gemini Companies, addressed the complaint.  Ms. Wiest recommended finding no probable cause consistent with the Smart PAL decision.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find no probable cause.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

12.           TC97-146        IN THE MATTER OF THE COMPLAINT FILED BY TERRY NAGEL, LEAD, SD, AGAINST U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. REGARDING TELEPHONE SERVICE.  (Consumer Representative:  Leni Healy.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Ms. Healy reported that the complainant wishes to withdraw the complaint. 

Chairman Burg moved to find no probable cause and to dismiss the complaint.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.   

13.         TC97-147        IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR REVISIONS TO ITS EXCHANGE AND NETWORK CATALOG.  (Staff Analyst:  Tammi Stangohr.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Colleen Sevold, U S WEST, explained the filing.  Ms. Stangohr recommended approval.

Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the filing.  Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

 14.                               TC97-152        IN THE MATTER OF THE FILING BY U S WEST COMMUNICATIONS, INC. FOR REVISIONS TO ITS EXCHANGE AND NETWORK SERVICES TARIFF.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer.)

Colleen Sevold, U S WEST, explained the filing.  Mr. Jacobson recommended approval.

Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the filing.  Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred.  Motion passed 3-0.

Addendum
1.          TC97-048        IN THE MATTER OF THE APPLICATION OF ASSOCIATED NETWORK PARTNERS, INC. FOR A CERTIFICATE OF AUTHORITY TO PROVIDE TELECOMMUNICATIONS SERVICES IN SOUTH DAKOTA.  (Staff Analyst:  Dave Jacobson.  Staff Attorney:  Camron Hoseck.)

Mr. Jacobson explained the application and recommended approval.  Commissioner Schoenfelder requested deferral.  Action was deferred.

The meeting was adjourned.

 

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Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary