Commission Minutes | previous page
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, June 30, 1998; 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room LCR1
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Jim Burg called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Laska Schoenfelder, Executive Director Bill Bullard, General Counsel Rolayne Ailts Wiest, Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Camron Hoseck, Legal Intern Ethan Meaney, Fixed Utilities Division Director Greg Rislov, Deputy Director Harlan Best, Utility Analysts Bob Knadle and Dave Jacobson, Engineer Martin Bettmann, Consumer Representative Leni Healy, Business Manager Sue Cichos and Administrative Secretary Shirleen Fugitt.
Also present were Bob Miller, South Dakota Electric Utilities; Al Lundy, South Dakota Public Radio; Bob Mercer, Rapid City Journal; and Rich Coit, South Dakota Independent Telephone Coalition.
Joining the meeting by phone were Commissioner Pam Nelson; Suzan Stewart and Marv Sorenson, MidAmerican Energy; Jim Wilcox, NSP; Colleen Sevold, U S WEST; Jennifer Erickson, OtterTail Power; Tom Hitchcock and Rod Leyendecker, NWPS; Dave Overland, complainant in EL98-015; and Douglas Pettigrew, complainant in TC98-121.
Administration
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meetings Held On June 11 and 12, 1998. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the minutes of the June 11 and June 12, 1998, Commission Meetings. Commissioner Nelson 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 Affairs: Leni Healy.)
Ms. Healy presented an update on consumer inquiries and complaints received since the last meeting.
Natural Gas
Tom Hitchcock, NWPS, explained the refund plan.
Chairman Burg moved to approve the plan. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Marv Sorenson, MidAmerican Energy, explained the refund plan. Following discussion, Mr. Jacobson recommended that the Commission either defer making a decision or deny the waiver.
Chairman Burg moved to grant a nine month delay in implementation of the refund plan. Motion died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Nelson moved to deny the waiver. Motion died for lack of a second.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to defer. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson dissented stating that she would prefer to have the refund process begin immediately. Motion passed 2-1.
Gas and Electric
Rod Leyendecker, NWPS, explained the filing. Mr. Knadle presented further explanation and recommended approval of the tariff revisions.
Chairman Burg moved to approve the tariff revisions with an August 1, 1998, effective date.
Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Electric
Ms. Healy noted that an informal resolution has been reached in this matter and the complainant wishes to withdraw the complaint.
Chairman Burg moved to allow the withdrawal of the complaint and close the docket.
Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Jacobson explained the filing and recommended approval.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the filing. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Jim Wilcox, NSP, explained the filing. Mr. Jacobson recommended approval.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the filing. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Bettmann explained the filing and recommended approval. Ms. Wiest noted that the agreement did not contain a clause stating the duration of the agreement or if it were limited to the life of the building located within Moreau-Grand's service territory. Action was deferred.
Addendum
Mr. Hoseck explained the filing. Ms. Wiest recommended deferral. Action was deferred.
Dave Overland explained his complaint against Northern States Power regarding excessive repair charges. Jim Wilcox, Northern States Power, explained the charges and noted that the company was called on Easter Sunday. Ms. Cremer recommended finding probable cause.
Commissioner Nelson moved to find probable cause. Motion died for lack of a second.
Chairman Burg made a substitute motion to not find probable cause. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded. Commissioner Nelson dissented. Motion passed 2-1.
Addendum
Mr. Bettmann explained the application. Ms. Wiest recommended making sure the water permit is in place.
Chairman Burg moved to grant an exception to service on assigned areas. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Commissioner Schoenfelder concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Telecommunications
Mr. Hoseck recommended approval with restrictions on prepaid calling cards, advance payments and deposits.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the application with the three restrictions noted above. Commissioner Schoenfelder seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Jacobson explained the application and recommended approval.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to approve the application. Commissioner Nelson seconded and Chairman Burg concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Mr. Pettigrew explained his complaint against U S WEST for service problems. Colleen Sevold, U S WEST, noted that the company plans to update service in the Wetonka, South Dakota area this year.
Commissioner Schoenfelder moved to find probable cause but not set the matter for hearing since U S WEST stated it will update the facilities prior to the end of this year's construction season. Chairman Burg seconded and Commissioner Nelson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
The meeting was adjourned.
_______________________________
Shirleen Fugitt
Administrative Secretary
