Commission Agendas | previous page
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
March 14, 2023, 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 13, 2023, 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)
Telecommunications
1. TC13-026 In the Matter of Study Area Boundaries for Incumbent Local Exchange Carriers (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
In orders released by the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Wireline Competition Bureau, the FCC requires the submission of study area boundary data to be used as part of the implementation of certain universal service reforms adopted by the FCC. Further, the FCC concluded that state commissions may certify to the accuracy of study area boundary data and submit it on behalf of incumbent local exchange carriers (ILECs) operating in their states. The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) opened docket TC13-026 to address the study area boundary submittal required by the FCC. At its April 9, 2013, meeting, the Commission unanimously voted that it shall provide the certification of study area boundary data to the FCC for all ILECs located in South Dakota. On January 9, 2014, the FCC issued an Order requiring study area boundary filers to “review and recertify their study area boundary data every two years and provide updated data when study area boundaries change.” On March 19, 2014, the Commission issued an order delegating to staff the authority to certify study area boundaries with certain exceptions, one of which is the Commission will biannually certify the study area boundaries. The Commission certified the study area boundaries as described by staff in 2015, 2017, 2019 and 2021. Commission certification is required for 2023 by March 15 of this year.
TODAY, shall the Commission certify the current study area boundaries?
2. TC23-001 In the Matter of the Approval of the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Wide Voice, LLC (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On February 10, 2023, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Wide Voice, LLC for the State of South Dakota.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the interconnection agreement?
3. TC23-002 In the Matter of the Approval of the Carrier Partner for Interconnected VoIP Provider Amendment to the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Wide Voice, LLC (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On February 17, 2023, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for approval of a Carrier Partner for Interconnected VoIP Provider Amendment to the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Wide Voice, LLC.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the amendment to the interconnection agreement?
Electric
1. EL23-005 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 Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On March 1, 2023, 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 2023 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, including the benefits of a new Rate 45 customer within the Integrated System. In addition, the projected 2023 revenue requirement includes five previously approved transmission projects in its projected 2023 TCR update. MDU proposes a TCR Rider rate of $0.01632 per kWh to be effective May 1, 2023, which is a decrease of $0.00102 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?
2. EL23-006 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 Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
On March 1, 2023, the Commission received a petition from Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU) for approval of the annual update to its Infrastructure Rider (IR) Rate, pursuant to the terms of the MDU’s IR Rate 56 tariff. MDU proposes an IR rate of $0.00523 per kWh for the rate period covered by this filing, which is a decrease of $0.00123 per kWh from that currently authorized. The IR Rate 56 tariff requires MDU to update the IR annually with updates effective May 1 of each year.
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?
Natural Gas
1. NG23-001 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Approval of its Natural Gas Tariff Revisions regarding Revised New Service Connection Fee (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On January 19, 2023, the Commission received a filing from NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) for approval of its natural gas tariff revisions regarding revised new service connection fee. NorthWestern proposes to remove the new service extension charge for residential customers of $90 and for mobile home customers within mobile home parks of $75. The usage from residential and mobile home customers are sufficient to cover NorthWestern’s investment in new service extensions. This proposed change will bring residential customers in line with commercial customers who are not subject to the $90 connection fee.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve NorthWestern Energy’s tariff revisions?
2. NG23-004 In the Matter of the Filing by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc., for Approval of Its Revised Conservation Tracking Adjustment (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On January 27, 2023, the Commission received an application by Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU) for approval of a revised Conservation Tracking Adjustment (CTA), pursuant to the terms of the MDU’s Conservation Program Tracking Mechanism Rate 90 tariff. MDU proposed a CTA rate, applicable to service under Rates 60, 70 and 72, of $0.015 per dk. The proposed CTA rate is a decrease of $0.010 per dk from the currently authorized CTA rate.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.’s request for approval of the revised Conservation Tracking Adjustment of $0.015 per dk and the associated Conservation Program Tracking Mechanism Rate 90 tariff sheet, with an effective date of April 1, 2023?
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. PUC commissioners and staff will meet with consumers at the Black Hills Home Builders Association Home Show, March 24-26, 2023, at The Monument, Rapid City, South Dakota.
2. The next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, March 28, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
3. Commission meetings are scheduled April 13 and 27, 2023.
/s/ Leah Mohr .
Leah Mohr
Deputy Executive Director
puc@state.sd.us
March 7, 2023
