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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
February 6, 2024, at 1:30 P.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 10:00 a.m. CST on Tuesday, February 6, 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 January 23, 2024 (Deputy Executive Director: Leah Mohr)

Consumer Reports

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

Telecommunications

1.      TC23-052        In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Interconnection Reciprocal Transport and Termination Agreement between Verizon Wireless and Midstate Communications Inc. (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson; Staff Attorneys: Amanda Reiss, Logan Schaefbauer)

         On December 14, 2023, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for the Amendment No. 2 to the Interconnection Agreement between Verizon Wireless and Midstate Communications, Inc. The Amendment authorizes Verizon Wireless’ agent, Verizon Business, to order new direct connection facilities to the point of interconnection location within Midstate Communication’s rate center.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve the amendment to the interconnection agreement?

2.      TC23-053        In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Interconnection Reciprocal Transport and Termination Agreement between Verizon Wireless and Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson; Staff Attorneys: Amanda Reiss, Logan Schaefbauer)

         On December 14, 2023, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for the Amendment No. 2 to the Interconnection Agreement between Verizon Wireless and Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. The Amendment authorizes Verizon Wireless’ agent, Verizon Business, to order new direct connection facilities to the point of interconnection location within Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative’s rate center.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve the amendment to the interconnection agreement?

3.      TC23-054        In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of Amendment No. 2 to the Interconnection Reciprocal Transport and Termination Agreement between Verizon Wireless and Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson; Staff Attorneys: Amanda Reiss, Logan Schaefbauer)

         On December 14, 2023, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for the Amendment No. 2 to the Interconnection Agreement between Verizon Wireless and Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. The Amendment authorizes Verizon Wireless’ agent, Verizon Business, to order new direct connection facilities to the point of interconnection location within Interstate Communications Cooperative’s rate center.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve the amendment to the interconnection agreement?

4.      TC23-059        In the Matter of the Approval of the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Airus, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorneys: Amanda Reiss, Logan Schaefbauer)

         On December 22, 2023, the Commission received a filing pursuant to 47 U.S.C. § 252 for the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Airus, Inc. for the State of South Dakota.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve the interconnection agreement?

5.      TC24-002        In the Matter of the Petition of Assurance Wireless USA, L.P. for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for the Purpose of Offering Lifeline Service to Qualifying Customers (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On January 12, 2024, the Commission received Assurance Wireless USA, L.P.’s Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier for the Purpose of Offering Lifeline Service to Qualifying Customers. On January 16, 2024, the South Dakota Telecommunications Association filed a Petition to Intervene.

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

6.      TC24-003        In the Matter of the Filing of IM Telecom, LLC dba Infiniti Mobile’s Petition for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of South Dakota for the Limited Purpose of Providing Lifeline Service to Qualifying Customers (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On January 17, 2024, the Commission received IM Telecom, LLC dba Infiniti Mobile’s Petition for an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation. On January 22, 2024, the South Dakota Telecommunications Association filed a Petition to Intervene.

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

7.      TC24-004        In the Matter of the Filing of Truconnect Communications, Inc.’s Petition for Approval of a Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier in the State of South Dakota for the Limited Purpose of Providing Lifeline Service to Qualifying Customers (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On January 17, 2024, the Commission received Truconnect Communications, Inc.’s Petition for an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier Designation. On January 22, 2024, the South Dakota Telecommunications Association filed a Petition to Intervene.

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

Electric

1.      EL21-035        In the Matter of the Petition of Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy for Approval of a Credit Mechanism for Payments from the Third Extended Department of Energy Settlement (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

         On December 3, 2021, Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy (Xcel) filed for approval of a credit mechanism for funds received pursuant to the third extended Settlement with the United States Department of Energy (DOE) for DOE’s partial breach of its contract to take spent nuclear fuel. On January 20, 2022, the Commission issued an Order Approving Continuation of Credit Mechanisms and Approving Bill Credit. On December 20, 2023, Xcel filed a petition requesting a waiver to the 90-day requirement to return the third payment under the Third Extended Settlement to ratepayers. Due to refunds in other jurisdictions, Xcel is requesting a six-week extension for the third payment under the Third Extended Settlement.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve Xcel Energy’s request for a waiver to the 90-day requirement to return the third payment under the Third Extended Settlement and allow a six-week extension? 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.   A hearing for docket RM23-001 - In the Matter of the Adoption of Administrative Rules, will be held Wednesday, February 7, 2024, beginning at 1:30 p.m. CST, in the Library Commons, Mackay Building, 800 Governors Drive, Pierre, South Dakota.

2.   The PUC office will be closed Monday, February 19, 2024, in observance of Presidents Day.

3.   The next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, February 20, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. CST in the South Dakota Department of Transportation Commission Room, Becker Hansen Building, 700 E. Broadway Avenue, Pierre, South Dakota.

4.   PUC commissioners and staff will meet with consumers at the Sioux Empire Home Show, February 23-25, 2024, at the Sioux Falls Convention Center & Arena, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.

5.   PUC commissioners and staff will attend the National Association of Regulatory Utility Commissioners Winter Policy Summit, February 25-28, 2024, at the Westin Washington Downtown, Washington, DC.

6.   Commission meetings are scheduled for March 1 and 12, 2024.

 

/s/ Cindy Kemnitz                 .
Cindy Kemnitz
Finance Manager
puc@state.sd.us
January 30, 2024