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Please also see Addendum to this Agenda
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Thursday, October 7, 1999; 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room LCR 1
Pierre, South Dakota
NOTE: If you wish to join this meeting by conference call, please contact the Commission at 605-773-3201 by 5:00 p.m. on October 6, 1999. Please keep in mind that a limited number of telephone lines are available. Every effort should be made for parties in the same city to be on the same line when calling in.
NOTE: Notice is further given to persons with disabilities that this Commission meeting is being held in a physically accessible place. If you have special needs, please notify the Commission and we will make all necessary arrangements.
AGENDA OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Administration
1. Approval Of The Minutes Of The Commission Meeting Held On September 21, 1999. (Staff: Shirleen Fugitt.)
Consumer Issues
1. Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission. (Consumer Affairs: Leni Healy.)
The Commission has received 2141 consumer contacts during 1999. 131 contacts have been received since the September 21, 1999, Commission meeting.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 120 of the contacts involved telecommunications. 28 of the contacts involved the unauthorized switching of telecommunications services; 15 contacts concerned the raising of rates without notice; 15 contacts concerned billing issues; 14 of the contacts involved installation delays; 11 contacts concerned the unauthorized billing for services; 10 contacts reported companies which wouldn't cancel services; 7 contacts involved poor service; 6 contacts concerned disconnections; and the remaining issues involved cellular service, deposits, toll blocking, outages, pay phones and telemarketers.
ELECTRICITY: 7 of the contacts involved electricity issues. 2 contacts involved billing; 2 contacts involved payment arrangements; 2 contacts wanted service and 1 meter error was reported.
NATURAL GAS: 4 contacts involving natural gas were reported. 2 contacts involved disconnection; 1 contact requested service and 1 contact was listed as "other".
A total of 1488 complaints have been resolved informally during 1999.
The Complainants allege that their long distance service was switched to Sprint without authorization. The Complainants are seeking $1000 in damages and the levying of fines on Sprint. The complaint was filed with the Commission August 11, 1999. A August 25 meeting the Commission found probable cause against Sprint and U S WEST Communications. On September 20, 1999, USWC filed a motion to dismiss.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant USWC's motion to dismiss?
On September 17, 1999, the Commission received a complaint from Jane Ham against Qwest Communications regarding unauthorized switching of services. The Complainant alleges the Company switched telecommunications services from AT&T to Qwest on August 3, 1999, without authorization. Complainant states she wants to resume service with AT&T, and she wants Qwest to pay a $1,000 fine plus an additional $500 in damages.
TODAY, does the Commission find probable cause of an unlawful or unreasonable act, rate, practice or omission to go forward with this complaint and serve it upon the Respondent?
On September 28, 1999, the Commission received a complaint from Donald Cook against Budget Call Long Distance, Inc. regarding unauthorized switching of services. The Complainant alleges the long distance provider was switched without permission. Complainant is asking that the unauthorized charges be removed from the billing and he wants the $1,000 fine provided by law.
TODAY, does the Commission find probable cause of an unlawful or unreasonable act, rate, practice or omission to go forward with this complaint and serve it upon the Respondent?
Electric
On August 30, 1999, Black Hills Power and Light Company (BHPL) filed to revise its South Dakota Electric Tariff. The requested revisions change BHPL sample forms to accommodate a new billing format.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the proposed tariff?
Telecommunications
On April 26, 1999, Telecommunications Resources, Inc. filed a request for a Certificate of Authority to operate as a reseller of telecommunications services throughout South Dakota. Telecommunications Resources, Inc. intends to offer travel card services to business and residential customers, as well as pre-paid calling card services.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to Telecommunications Resources, Inc.?
On June 17, 1999 International Exchange Communications, Inc. d/b/a IE Com filed a request for a Certificate of Authority to offer resold interexchange services, including, but not limited to , 1+ long distance message telecommunications services and prepaid and postpaid calling card services to business and residential customers.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to International Exchange Communications, Inc.?
On September 13, 1999, Northern Valley Communications filed an Intrastate Switched Access Tariff No. 1 concurrent with the rates, terms, and conditions of the current LECA Tariff No. 1 with the exception of the switched access rates, which are based upon a statewide average. The Company has also requested an exemption from the requirement to develop intrastate switched access rates based on company specific costs.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the proposed filing?
Announcements
1. NSP will meet with Commissioners and staff on October 7, 1999, at 10:30am in LCR#1.
2. Commissioner Schoenfelder will be attending a KMB conference on October 4-6, 1999, in Florida.
3. The Commission offices will be closed on October 11, 1999, in observance of Native American Day.
4. Commissioners and staff will be attending the Telecom Leadership Forum in Spearfish, South Dakota on October 12-14, 1999.
5. A hearing in docket CT99-030 (Putnam v Touchtone Communications) will be held at 1:00pm MT on October 14, 1999, in Rapid City.
6. A hearing in docket CT99-021 (Parks v Western Telecom) will be held at 9:00am MT on October 15, 1999, in Rapid City.
7. A hearing in docket NG99-002 (NWPS rate case) is scheduled for 9:00am on October 20-21, 1999, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
8. Midco will meet with Commissioners and staff on October 22, 1999, in the State Capitol.
9. A hearing in docket CT99-009 (Fox v Touchtone Communications) will be held at 9:30am on October 26, 1999, in Huron, South Dakota.
10. A hearing in docket CT99-034 (Lee v Western Telecom) will be held at 1:30pm on October 26, 1999, in Huron, South Dakota.
11. A hearing in docket CT99-018 (Hatch v Qwest Communications) will be held at 1:00pm on October 27, 1999, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
12. Chairman Burg will be attending a GRI conference on October 28-29, 1999.
13. A hearing in docket CT99-006 (Tele-Tech v USWC) will be held at 1:00pm on November 1, 1999, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
14. A hearing in docket TC99-053 (USWC dialing parity costing) will be held at 9:00am on November 2-3, 1999, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
15. A hearing in dockets TC98-183, TC98-184, TC98-199, and TC99-212 (Mission complainants v USWC) will be held on November 4, 1999, at Cherry-Todd Electric in Mission, South Dakota at 1:30pm.
16. Commissioners and staff will be attending the NARUC meeting on November 7-11, 1999, in San Antonio, Texas.
17. The Commission offices will be closed on November 11, 1999, in observance of Veterans Day.
18. A hearing in docket CT99-020 (Holpp v USWC) will be held on November 17, 1999, at 9:00am MT in Rapid City.
19. A hearing in docket CT99-026 (Raker v USWC) will be held on November 17, 1999, at 1:00pm MT in Rapid City.
20. A hearing in docket CT99-023 (Schuelke v USWC) will be held on November 18, 1999, at 9:00am MT in Rapid City.
21. A hearing in docket CT99-027 (Peltz v USWC) will be held on November 18, 1999, at 1:00pm MT in Rapid City.
22. A hearing in docket TC99-099 (USWC reclassification) will be held on November 22, 1999, at 9:00am in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
23. A hearing in docket TC99-098 (USWC reclassify directory assistance) will be held on November 23, 1999, at 9:00am in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
24. The next regularly scheduled Commission meeting will be held Tuesday, October 19, 1999, at 9:00 a.m. in Room 412 of the State Capitol Building.
Sue Cichos
Deputy Executive Director
sue.cichos@state.sd.us
September 30, 1999
