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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
March 16, 2021, at 9:30 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 Monday, March 15, 2021, 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
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
Complaint
1. CT20-001 In the Matter of the Complaint of Venture Communications Cooperative against AT&T Mobility (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On May 13, 2020, Venture Communications Cooperative (Venture) filed a complaint against AT&T Mobility (Mobility) for failing to pay for local interconnection facilities ordered by Mobility in Access Service Requests (ASRs) at the rates set forth in Venture’s price list. The Commission established an answer deadline of June 2, 2020. On June 16, 2020, Mobility filed an answer and counterclaim. On July 2, 2020, Venture filed a Reply to Counterclaim. On August 7, 2020, the Commission issued an Order Granting Motion for Adoption of Procedural Schedule; Order Adopting Procedural Schedule; Order Requiring Prefiled Testimony. On March 4, 2021, staff filed a letter requesting the Commission suspend the remaining procedural schedule, including the evidentiary hearing scheduled for March 30-31, 2021. The parties are working to develop a revised procedural schedule to propose to the Commission for approval.
TODAY, how shall the Commission proceed?
Electric
1. EL21-001 In the Matter of the Filing by Otter Tail Power Company for Approval of Tariff Revisions to Its Rates for Small Power Production and Cogeneration (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On January 14, 2021, the Commission received a filing from Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail) for approval of tariff revisions to its Small Power Producer Riders, Sections 12.01, 12.02, and 12.03. Otter Tail proposes to update the energy payments as well as the wind renewable energy credits. These payments are made to small qualifying facilities within the Otter Tail service area. Otter Tail requests an effective date of April 1, 2021.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the proposed revisions to Otter Tail Power Company’s rates for Small Power Production and Cogeneration for Qualifying Facilities and revised tariff sheets with an effective date of April 1, 2021?
2. EL21-003 In the Matter of the Filing of Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy for Approval of Its 2020 Economic Development Activities and 2021 Budget (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On February 8, 2021, Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy (Xcel) filed for approval of its 2020 Economic Development Annual Report and 2021 Economic Development Budget. The filing includes Xcel’s report on the 2020 budgeted and actual economic development expenses and provides documentation of the actual expenses incurred. The filing also details a proposed economic development budget for 2021.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve Xcel Energy’s 2020 Economic Development Report and its 2021 Economic Development Budget?
3. EL21-005 In the Matter of the Filing by MidAmerican Energy Company for Approval of Tariff Revisions regarding Its 2020 Transmission Cost Recovery Reconciliation and 2021 Transmission Cost Recovery Factors (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On February 16, 2021, the Commission received MidAmerican Energy Company’s (MidAmerican) filing for approval of tariff revisions regarding its Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR) 2020 Reconciliation and 2021 New Factor Calculation. MidAmerican’s TCR mechanism was established in the company’s most recent rate case, EL14-072. With this filing, MidAmerican is establishing new TCR rates based on true ups to the actual over/under recovery from 2020, 2021 forecasted MISO transmission expense, and the forecast over/under recovery for January through March of 2021. MidAmerican requests the new TCR factors have an effective date of April 2, 2021.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the revised Transmission Cost Recovery rate factors and revised tariff sheet with an effective date of April 2, 2021?
4. EL21-007 In the Matter of the Filing by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc., for Approval of the Annual Update to Its Infrastructure Rider Rate (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On February 26, 2021, the Commission received a petition from Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU) for approval of the annual update to its Infrastructure Rider Rate, pursuant to the terms of the Company’s Infrastructure Rider Rate 56 tariff. MDU proposes an Infrastructure Rider rate of $0.00684 per kWh for the rate period covered by this filing, which is a decrease of $0.00157 per kWh from that currently authorized. Under the Infrastructure Rider Rate 56 tariff, MDU shall update the Infrastructure Rider annually to be effective each May 1.
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? AND, shall the Commission give the executive director authority to enter into consulting contracts as necessary?
5. EL21-009 In the Matter of the Filing by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc., for Approval of the Annual Update to Its Transmission Cost Recovery Rider Rate (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On March 1, 2021, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU) filed for approval of its annual update to its Transmission Cost Recovery (TCR) Rider. MDU states the proposed tariff change is necessary to reflect the projected 2021 charges assessed to MDU for transmission-related services provided by the Midcontinent Independent System Operator and Southwest Power Pool along with the projected revenues and/or credits received by MDU for transmission-related services. In addition, MDU is including the projected 2021 revenue requirements for two transmission projects approved in EL20-010 and one new transmission project in its projected 2021 TCR update. MDU proposes a TCR Rider rate of $0.00694 per kWh to be effective May 1, 2021, which is an increase of $0.00181 per kWh from that currently authorized.
TODAY, shall the Commission assess a filing fee in the amount of up to $50,000 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. Commissioners and staff will meet with representatives of NorthWestern Energy on Wednesday, March 10, 2021, at 1:30 p.m. CST via Zoom videoconference. The agenda is to discuss NorthWestern Energy’s communication and response efforts related to the February extreme cold weather event in South Dakota. Contact the PUC at 605-773-3201 or PUC@state.sd.us by 10:00 a.m. CST, March 10, to reserve a spot to attend this videoconference.
2. A public hearing for Docket RM19-001 - In the Matter of the Adoption of Rules Regarding Rate Filing, Energy Facility Plans, Siting Rules, Local Exchange Competition, Telecom Services, Pipeline Safety, and Stray Voltage will be held Wednesday, March 24, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
3. The next regular commission meeting will be Thursday, April 1, 2021, at 9:30 a.m. CST in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
4. The PUC office will be closed April 2 and 5, 2021, in observance of Easter.
5. Commission meetings are scheduled for April 13 and 29, 2021.
/s/ Cindy Kemnitz .
Cindy Kemnitz
Finance Manager
puc@state.sd.us
March 9, 2021
