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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
October 13, 2020, at 10:00 A.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 Friday, October 9, 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 the Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on September 29, 2020 (Staff: Macy Jo Murren)
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
Telecommunications
1. TC19-048 In the Matter of the Application of Standard Tandem, LLC for a Certificate of Authority to Provide Local Exchange and Interexchange Long Distance Services in South Dakota (Staff Analyst: Lorena Reichert; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On October 30, 2019, the Commission received a filing from Standard Tandem, LLC (Standard Tandem) requesting a Certificate of Authority to provide local exchange and interexchange long distance services in South Dakota to operate as a wholesale and retail provider of competitive telecommunications service. On November 15, 2019, the South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA) filed a Petition to Intervene. On November 27, 2019, the Commission filed an Order Granting Intervention to SDTA. On January 3, July 7, and October 2, 2020, Standard Tandem responded to staff’s data requests. On October 6, 2020, Standard Tandem and SDTA filed a Joint Stipulation.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the Joint Stipulation? AND, shall the Commission grant a Certificate of Authority to Standard Tandem?
2. TC20-050 In the Matter of the Approval of an Unbundled Network Elements – Resale Forbearance Amendment to the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Sprint Communications Company, LP (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On September 18, 2020, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for approval of an Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Sprint Communications Company, LP. The amendment incorporates forbearance orders FCC 19-66 and FCC 19-72, which were released by the Federal Communications Commission in 2019.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the amendment to the interconnection agreement?
Electric
1. EL18-053 In the Matter of the Application of Deuel Harvest Wind Energy LLC for a Permit of a Wind Energy Facility and a 345-kV Transmission Line in Deuel County (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorneys: Kristen Edwards, Amanda Reiss)
On November 30, 2018, the Commission received an Application for Facility Permits (Application) from Deuel Harvest Wind Energy LLC (Deuel Harvest or Applicant), an affiliate of Invenergy LLC. Deuel Harvest proposes to construct a wind energy facility and a 345-kilovolt (kV) transmission line with an associated 345-kV interconnection substation to be located in Deuel County, South Dakota, known as the Deuel Harvest North Wind Farm (Project). On May 30, 2019, the Commission issued a Final Decision and Order Granting Permit to Construct Facilities; Notice of Entry. Condition 36 of the Permit requires Applicant to file an escrow account agreement with the Commission for approval at least 60 days prior to commencement of commercial operation. Applicant filed the escrow account agreement between Applicant and U.S. Bank National Association on October 5, 2020.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve Applicant’s escrow account agreement? OR, how shall the Commission proceed?
2. EL20-026 In the Matter of the Petition of Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy for Approval of Its 2021 Infrastructure Rider Project Eligibility and Factor Update (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On October 1, 2020, the Commission received a Petition by Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy (Xcel) for approval of its 2021 Infrastructure Rider Project Eligibility and Factor Update. Xcel requests approval of project eligibility of four additional wind projects consistent with SDCL 49-34A-73 and the Settlement Stipulation in Docket GE17-003, special rate treatment of one of the new projects, the Infrastructure Rider Tracker Report and true-up for the 2020 revenue requirements, 2021 Infrastructure Rider revenue requirements of $24.9 million, an updated Infrastructure Rider Adjustment Factor of $0.011897 per kWh, proposed revision to the Infrastructure Rider tariff sheet, and proposed customer notice. Xcel proposes a January 1, 2021, effective date. Xcel states the average bill impact for a residential customer using 750 kWh per month will be an estimated $8.92, a $2.27 increase over the 2020 rate.
TODAY, shall the Commission assess a filing fee in the amount of up to $250,000 to account for actual expenses incurred in review of this filing commencing from the filing date?
Items for Commission Discussion
Public Comment
Individuals who wish to make public comments to the commission may do so during this time. All who offer public comments are requested to sign in at the commission meeting or let the commission know of their wish to speak when they call in to reserve a phone line. Time limits for comments may be determined at the discretion of the commission.
Announcements
1. The PUC office will be closed Monday, October 12, 2020, in observance of the Native American Day holiday.
2. The PUC will host the South Dakota/North Dakota Pipeline Safety Operators Virtual Training, Wednesday, October 21, 2020.
3. The next regular commission meeting will be held Wednesday, October 28, 2020, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
4. The PUC office will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2020, in observance of the Veterans Day holiday.
5. Commission meetings are scheduled for November 12 and 24, 2020.
/s/Cindy Kemnitz .
Cindy Kemnitz
Finance Manager
puc@state.sd.us
October 6, 2020
