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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, October 3, 2000; 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
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 2, 2000. PLEASE DON'T WAIT until the day of the meeting to contact us for the conference call.
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 Meetings Held On September 26, 2000. (Staff: Mary Giddings.)
Consumer Issues
1. Status Report On Consumer Utility Inquiries And Complaints Recently Received By The Commission. (Consumer Affairs: Leni Healy.)
The Commission has received 1713 consumer contacts during 2000. 167 contacts have been received since the September 13, 2000, Commission meeting.
TELECOMMUNICATIONS: 132 of the contacts involved telecommunications. 22 of the contacts concerned the unauthorized switching of local or long distance service; 18 contacts involved raising rates without notice; 14 contacts concerned billing issues; 10 contacts concerned billing for services; 7 contacts involved delayed installation; 6 contacts involved delayed disconnection; 5 contacts concerned disconnections and the remaining issues were deceptive tactics, deposits, directory, cable, calling cards, 900 numbers, cell phones, collection agents, continued billing, continuous redial, double billings and internet speeds.
ELECTRICITY: 19 of the contacts involved electricity issues. 8 of the contacts concerned disconnections; and the remaining issues were billing, collection methods, energy audits, costs, outages, and poor service.
NATURAL GAS: 16 contacts involving natural gas were reported. 4 of the contacts involved disconnections; 3 contacts concerned high prices and the remaining issues were price bidding, billing, delayed installation, monthly service charges, won't disconnect, repairs and service contract.
1336 complaints have been resolved informally during 2000.
On April 4, 2000, the Complainant filed a complaint against Crusade Communications for switching his long distance service without authorization. He is seeking reimbursement for charges incurred and $1000 as identified in SDCL 49-31-93.
TODAY, if the matter is resolved shall the Commission dismiss the complaint and close the docket?
Electric
Application by Black Hills Corporation to exchange all of its outstanding shares of Black Hills Corporation stock for shares of Black Hills Holding Corporation stock and establishment of Black Hills Holding Corporation as a holding company as defined in the Public Utility Holding Company Act.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the proposed share exchange?
Telecommunications
Uni-Tel Communications Group, Inc. is seeking a Certificate of Authority to provide interexchange telecommunication services in South Dakota. The applicant intends to provide outbound and inbound telecommunication services, directory assistance services and calling card services through resale.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to Uni-Tel?
WorkNet Communications, Inc. is seeking a Certificate of Authority to provide resold and facilities based interexchange and local exchange telecommunication services in South Dakota. The applicant intends to provide high speed data communications using facilities based fixed wireless point to multi-point broadband data communications network as well as leased local and long distance telephone facilities. The applicant's target market is small and medium-sized businesses.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to WorkNet?
Qwest has filed for revisions to its Exchange and Network Services Tariff. These revisions are intended to comply with the FCC Twelfth Report and Order expanding the Federal Lifeline and Link-Up programs for qualifying individuals on tribal lands. The filing proposes an effective date of October 1, 2000.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the proposed tariff revisions?
Announcements
1. On October 3, 2000, a hearing will be held in Docket CT00-096 (Thermo Bond) in the State Capitol.
2. A hearing will be held on October 5, 2000, at 10:00am, in Room 412 of the State Capitol, for Docket EL00-026 (Xcel v Southeastern Co-op).
3. A hearing is scheduled in Docket CT00-085 (Sheehy/Business Options) for October 11, 2000, at 1:30pm, in Room 412 of the State Capitol.
4. The Public Input Meeting for the City of Pierre transmission line construction (EL00-023) is scheduled for October 16, 2000, at 7:00pm, in the Visitors Center of the State Capitol in Pierre.
5. A hearing is being scheduled for November 2, 2000, for Docket CT00-090 (St. Gemme) in Pierre.
6. Commission meetings and hearings are being scheduled for November 2, November 30 and December 12, 2000.
7. The next regularly scheduled Commission meeting will be held October 17, 2000, at 9:30am, in Room 412 of the State Capitol Building.
Sue Cichos
Deputy Executive Director
sue.cichos@puc.state.sd.us
September 27, 2000
