FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Jan. 3, 2017
CONTACT: Leah Mohr, deputy executive director, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201 or (605) 280-4327

Nelson sworn in to second term as South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner

PIERRE, S.D. – Recently re-elected South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Chris Nelson took the oath of office today to officially begin his new term. The oath was administered by South Dakota Supreme Court Chief Justice David Gilbertson on Jan. 3, 2017, at the State Capitol in Pierre, South Dakota.

Nelson has served on the PUC since January 2011, when he was appointed by Gov. Dennis Daugaard to fill a vacancy on the commission. He was elected in November 2012 to complete the remaining four years of the term and re-elected in November 2016 for a full, six-year term. Nelson presided as chairman of the PUC in 2012, 2015 and 2016.

“I am grateful to the people of South Dakota for the trust they have placed in me to serve as their commissioner for the next six years. Taking the oath of office today formalizes my commitment to upholding the law and the constitution as I carry out my duties on the commission,” he said.

Nelson has a long history of serving the public. Prior to joining the PUC, he served two terms as South Dakota secretary of state. His career also included 13 years as the state election supervisor in the secretary of state’s office and two years as the uniform commercial code supervisor.

Nelson is a member of the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners, where he is the chairman of the association’s Committee on Telecommunications. He has also been appointed by the Federal Communications Commission to the Federal-State Joint Board on Universal Service, representing the interests of NARUC.

MEDIA NOTE: Download a photo of Commissioner Nelson’s oath ceremony at http://puc.sd.gov/2017Oath/default.aspx