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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
January 9, 2024, at 9:30 A.M. CST
Matthew Training Center, Foss 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. CST on Monday, January 8, 2024, 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 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 December 19, 2023 (Deputy Executive Director: Leah Mohr)

Consumer Reports

1.      Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)

Telecommunications

1.      TC23-051        In the Matter of the Application of Impact Telecom, LLC for Certificates of Authority to Provide Local Exchange and Interexchange Telecommunications Services in the State of South Dakota (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorneys: Amanda Reiss, Logan Schaefbauer)

         On December 11, 2023, the Commission received an Application for Certificates of Authority to Provide Local Exchange and Interexchange Services in South Dakota from Impact Telecom, LLC. On December 18, 2023, the South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA) filed a Petition to Intervene.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant a Petition to Intervene to anyone who may have filed?

Electric

1.      EL23-016        In the Matter of the Application of Northwestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Authority to Increase its Electric Rates (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen, Eric Paulson, Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

         On June 15, 2023, the Commission received an application by NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) for approval to increase rates for electric service to customers in its South Dakota service territory by approximately $30.9 million annually or approximately 16.32% based on NorthWestern’s 2022 historic test year. NorthWestern states a typical residential electric customer using 750 kWh per month would see an increase of $19.14 per month. The proposed changes may affect approximately 64,680 customers. On December 20, 2023, NorthWestern and staff filed a Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation and a Settlement Stipulation, and staff filed a Staff Memorandum Supporting Settlement Stipulation.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant the Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation and approve the rates, tariff sheets, terms and conditions stipulated therein? OR how shall the Commission proceed?

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, January 15, 2024, in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. Day.

2.   The PUC will host a Briefing for Legislators on Monday, January 22, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. CST in Room 414 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota. The agenda is to discuss current issues related to telecommunications, energy regulation and grain warehouses.

3.   The PUC will host an Open House for Legislators on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, 7:30-11:00 a.m. CST in the PUC office, first floor of the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.

4.   The next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, January 23, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CST in the Floyd Matthew Training Center in the Foss Building, 523 E. Capitol Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota.

/s/ Cindy Kemnitz                 .
Cindy Kemnitz
Finance Manager
puc@state.sd.us
January 2, 2024