Commission Agendas | previous page

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Thursday, July 20, 2006, at 3:30 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 3:00 p.m. on July 20, 2006.  The lines are limited and are given out on first come/first serve basis.  Ultimately, if you wish to participate in the Commission Meeting and a line is not available you may have to appear in person.

NOTE:  To listen to the Commission Meeting live please go to the PUC's Web site www.puc.sd.gov and click on the LIVE button on the home page.  The Commission meetings are archived on the PUC's Web site under the Commission Actions tab and then click on the LISTEN button on the page.

 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.

Electricity

1.     EL05-022         In the Matter of the Application by Otter Tail Power Company on behalf of Big Stone II Co Owners for an Energy Conversion Facility Permit for the Construction of the Big Stone II Project.  (Staff Analysts:  Bob Knadle, Martin Bettmann, and Nathan Solem, Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer)

On July 21, 2005, the Commission received an Application for a Construction Permit for an Energy Conversion Facility from Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail) on behalf of the Project co owners; Central Minnesota Municipal Power Agency; Great River Energy; Heartland Consumers Power District; Montana Dakota Utilities Co., a Division of MDU Resources Group, Inc.; Otter Tail Corporation d/b/a Otter Tail Power Company; Southern Minnesota Municipal Power Agency; and Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency. The proposed Energy Conversion Facility is a nominal 600 MW coal fired electric generating facility and associated facilities, which the Project co owners have named Big Stone II, to be located on an industrial site adjacent to the existing Big Stone Plant unit I in Grant County, South Dakota.  At the September 27, 2005, commission meeting, the Commission granted intervener party status pursuant to ARSD 20:10:22:40 to Clean Water Action, the South Dakota Chapter Sierra Club and Union of Concerned Scientists,  Mary Jo Stueve, Minnesotans for an Energy Efficient Economy, Izaak Walton League of America - Midwest Office, and the Minnesota Center for Environmental Advocacy (MCEA).  On February 16, 2006, Clean Water Action filed a letter requesting withdrawal of its intervention, which was granted at the February 28, 2006, meeting.  On May 8, 2006, MCEA filed Motions to Compel Discovery and to Extend Deadline for Intervenor Testimony. On May 12, 2006, Otter Tail filed a Joint Motion and Stipulation to Amend Second Scheduling and Procedural Order.  On May 19, 2006, Otter Tail Power and Intervenor Sierra Club filed a Stipulation and Certificate of Service stating that the Sierra Club wishes to withdraw as a party in this docket.  Hearings in the matter were held the week of June 26, 2006.  On July 8, 2006, Mary Jo Stueve filed a Notice and Petition for Dismissal. 

TODAY, shall the Commission Grant the Petition for Dismissal?