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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
July 23, 2020, at 1:30 P.M. CDT
Room 413, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota
NOTE: Docket participants who wish to join this meeting by conference call should contact the Commission at 605-773-3201 by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Wednesday, July 22, 2020, to reserve a phone line. Lines are limited and assigned on a first come, first served basis, subject to possible reassignment to accommodate persons who must appear in a proceeding. Ultimately, if you wish to participate in docket discussion at 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 website www.puc.sd.gov and click on the LIVE link on the home page. The Commission requests persons who will only be listening to proceedings and not actively appearing in a case listen via the webcast to free phone lines for those who have to appear. The Commission meetings are archived on the PUC’s website under the Commission Actions tab. Click on “Commission Meeting Archives,” to access the recordings.
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 COMMISSION MEETING
Administration
1. Approval of Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on July 8, 2020 (Staff: Macy Jo Murren)
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
Telecommunications
1. In the Matter of the Request for Certification Regarding the Use of Federal Universal Service Support in Dockets TC20-018, TC20-019, TC20-020, TC20-022 and TC20-025
TC20-018 In the Matter of the Request of James Valley Wireless, LLC for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 399014) (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Commission Attorney: Karen Cremer)
On June 24, 2020, the Commission received an application from James Valley Wireless, LLC (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On July 7, 2020, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC20-019 In the Matter of the Request of Northern Valley Communications, LLC for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Areas: 399017 and 396340) (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Commission Attorney: Adam de Hueck)
On June 24, 2020, the Commission received an application from Northern Valley Communications, LLC (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On July 7, 2020, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC20-020 In the Matter of the Request of James Valley Cooperative Telephone Company for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391664) (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Commission Attorney: Karen Cremer)
On June 24, 2020, the Commission received an application from James Valley Cooperative Telephone Company, LLC (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On July 7, 2020, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC20-022 In the Matter of the Request of TrioTel Communications, Inc. for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Areas: McCook 391669 and Tri-County Telecom 391682) (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Commission Attorney: Karen Cremer)
On June 26, 2020, the Commission received an application from TrioTel Communications, Inc., (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company.
TC20-025 In the Matter of the Request of Valley Telecommunications Cooperative Association, Inc. for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391685) (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Commission Attorney: Adam de Hueck)
On June 26, 2020, the Commission received an application from Valley Telecommunications Cooperative Association, Inc., (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company.
TODAY, shall the Commission provide a certification to the Federal Communications Commission and to the Universal Service Administration Company regarding the use of Federal Universal Service Support in each of the above dockets?
Electric
1. EL20-018 In the Matter of the Application by Wild Springs Solar, LLC for a Permit of a Solar Energy Facility in Pennington County, South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On May 15, 2020, the Commission received an Application for a Facility Permit (Application) from Wild Springs Solar, LLC (Wild Springs or Applicant), a wholly owned subsidiary of Geronimo Energy, LLC. Wild Springs proposes to construct a solar energy facility to be located in Pennington County, South Dakota (Project). The Project would be situated within approximately 1,499 acres and located approximately ½ mile south of New Underwood, South Dakota. The total installed capacity of the Project would not exceed 128 megawatts (MW) of nameplate capacity. The Project is expected to be completed in 2022. Applicant estimates the total cost of the Project to be $190 million. On July 14, 2020, the Commission received an application for party status for the Bundorf Family Trust.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant intervention to any party who may have filed?
Gas and Electric
1. GE20-001 In the Matter of the Filing by MidAmerican Energy Company for the Approval of Its Reconciliation and Annual Report for 2019 and 2019 Reconciliation for the Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (Staff Analyst: Lorena Reichert; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On April 15, 2020, the Commission received a filing from MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) that included the company’s 2019 Energy Efficiency Plan Annual Report. On June 30, 2020, MidAmerican filed its reconciliation of the company’s Energy Efficiency Plan cost recoveries for the 2019 calendar year. Further, MidAmerican requested approval of its 2020 Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factors that account for the 2019 reconciliation amounts and the 2019 performance incentive. MidAmerican requested an effective date of July 30, 2020, for the Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factors and accompanying tariff sheets.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the 2019 reconciliation amounts and the 2019 performance incentive? AND, shall the Commission approve the changes to the Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factors and tariff sheets, with an effective date of July 30, 2020?
Natural Gas
1. NG20-005 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Approval of a Contract with Deviations with Aberdeen Energy, LLC (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On June 19, 2020, NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) filed for approval of a contract with deviations with Aberdeen Energy, LLC. Aberdeen Energy, LLC that has reached the expiration date of its initial contract. NorthWestern desires to provide this customer with continuing natural gas service and has negotiated a new contract with deviations. NorthWestern states the new rate will allow NorthWestern to maintain Aberdeen Energy, LLC as a customer, which will benefit not only Aberdeen Energy, LLC but also NorthWestern and its natural gas customers, through recovery of administrative and general costs and common costs from this customer. NorthWestern requests approval with an effective date for the tariff revisions of July 23, 2020.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve NorthWestern Energy’s contract with deviations with Aberdeen Energy, LLC and the associated tariff revisions with an effective date of July 23, 2020?
Items for Commission Discussion
Public Comment
Individuals who wish to make public comments to the commission may do so in person during this time. All who offer public comment are requested to sign in at the commission meeting. Time limits for comments may be determined at the discretion of the commission.
Announcements
1. Commissioners will virtually attend the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners’ Summer Policy Summit, July 20-22, 2020.
2. The next regular commission meeting will be held Tuesday, August 4, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
3. Commission meetings are scheduled for August 18 and September 1, 2020.
/s/Cindy Kemnitz .
Cindy Kemnitz
Finance Manager
puc@state.sd.us
July 16, 2020
