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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
August 26, 2025, 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, August 25, 2025, 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.
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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. In the Matter of the Request for Certification Regarding the Use of Federal Universal Service Support in Dockets TC25-014, TC25-016, TC25-017, TC25-020, TC25-024, TC25-028, TC25-030, and TC25-031
TC25-014 In the Matter of the Request of Midstate Communications, Inc. for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Areas: ILEC-391670 and CLEC-Chamberlain/Oacoma) (Staff Analyst: Jon Thurber)
On June 20, 2025, the Commission received an application from Midstate Communications, Inc. (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On August 4, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC25-016 In the Matter of the Request of Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Areas: Armour-391640, Golden West Telecom-391659, Kadoka-391667, Sioux Valley-391677, Union-391684, Vivian-391686) (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff)
On June 24, 2025, the Commission received an application from Golden West Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On August 15, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC25-017 In the Matter of the Request of West River Cooperative Telephone Company Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391689) (Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On June 24, 2025, the Commission received an application from West River Cooperative Telephone Company (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On August 8, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.
TC25-020 In the Matter of the Request of Fort Randall Telephone Company for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391660) (Staff Analyst: Darren Kearney)
On June 26, 2025, the Commission received an application from Fort Randall Telephone Company (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On July 23 and 25, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.
TC25-024 In the Matter of the Request of RC Technologies for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391674) (Staff Analyst: Darren Kearney)
On June 30, 2025, the Commission received an application from RC Technologies (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On August 8, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC25-028 In the Matter of the Request of Alliance Communications Cooperative Inc. for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Areas: 391405, 391642, 391657 and 399024) (Staff Analyst: Jon Thurber)
On June 30, 2025, the Commission received an application from Alliance Communications Cooperative Inc. (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On August 12, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TC25-030 In the Matter of the Request of Clarity Telecom, LLC dba Bluepeak Fiber for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: ILEC–391652 and CLEC–399006) (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen)
On June 30, 2025, the Commission received an application from Clarity Telecom, LLC dba Bluepeak Fiber (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On July 23 and August 7, and 19, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.
TC25-031 In the Matter of the Request of City of Faith Municipal Telephone Company for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391653) (Staff Analyst: Darren Kearney)
On June 30, 2025, the Commission received an application from City of Faith Municipal Telephone Company (Company) requesting the Commission to issue a certification to the FCC and USAC indicating it is in compliance with 47 U.S.C. Section 254(e) and should receive all federal universal service support determined for distribution to the Company. On August 8, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data request.
TODAY, shall the Commission provide a certification to the Federal Communications Commission and to the Universal Service Administration Company regarding the use of Federal Universal Service Support in each of the above dockets?
Electric
1. EL25-028 In the Matter of the Application by Western Minnesota Municipal Power and Missouri River Energy Services for a Facility Permit for an Energy Facility and Associated Facilities Including an Electric Transmission Line in Deuel County, South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)
On August 7, 2025, the Commission received an Application for an Energy Facility Permit from Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Missouri River Energy Services (Applicants). Applicants propose to construct an energy conversion facility and electric transmission line in Scandinavia Township, Deuel County, South Dakota, known as the Toronto Power Plant (Project). The Project as proposed consists of 145 MW dual fuel power plant and a 345 kV generation-tie transmission line. The power plant consists of four combustion turbine-generator sets, a turbine hall building, diesel fuel truck unloading facilities, and other associated facilities. The 345 kV generation-tie transmission line will be approximately 4.9 miles long and will connect the power plant with the existing Astoria 345 kV substation. Associated facilities will include natural gas piping anticipated to be less than 450 feet along the southwest side of the proposed power plant site. The Project is expected to be in commercial operation in 2029. Applicants estimate the total construction cost to be $378 million. The maximum fee calculated pursuant to SDCL 49-41B-12 is $389,000.
TODAY, shall the Commission assess a filing fee not to exceed $389,000? AND shall the Commission authorize the Executive Director to enter into necessary consulting contracts?
2. EL25-029 In the Matter of The Application by Philip Wind Partners, LLC, for Energy Facility Permits of a Wind Energy Facility and a 230 KV Transmission Facility In Haakon County, South Dakota for The Philip Wind Project (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On August 15, 2025, the Commission received an Application from Philip Wind Partners, LLC (Applicant) for Energy Facility Permits of a Wind Energy Facility and a 230 kV Transmission Facility in Haakon County, South Dakota. Applicant proposes to construct the Philip Wind Project and a 230 kV transmission line, (together, Project) to be located in Haakon County, South Dakota. The Project would be situated within an approximately 68,300-acre project area. The total installed capacity of the Project would not exceed 333 megawatts (MW) of nameplate capacity and deliver up to 300 MW to the point of interconnection. The proposed Project includes up to 87 wind turbines, a 34.5kV electrical collection and supervisory control and data acquisition systems, a 230 kV collector substation, an approximately 7-mile long 230 kV generator transmission tie line, an operations and maintenance facility, up to three aircraft detection lighting system towers; access roads, and up to three meteorological towers. The Project will also include temporary construction areas: crane paths, public road improvements, three general construction laydown yards, staging areas, and a concrete batch plant, as needed. The Project will also be supported by a short (less than 1 mile) extension of an existing 230-kV line owned by Basin Electric Power Company (Basin Electric) that will be separately permitted. In addition, the Western Area Power Administration (WAPA) will construct the 230-kV Philip North Switchyard and two tie-in lines to interconnect the Project into WAPA’s existing Oahe to New Underwood 230-kV transmission line. The Project, which has an estimated construction cost of $750 million, is expected to be in commercial operation in December 2027. SDCL 49-41B-12 provides for a filing fee to be assessed to cover the Commission’s actual cost of investigating, reviewing, processing, and serving notice of the Application. The maximum fee chargeable, as calculated pursuant to statute, is $575,000. However, according to said statute, the minimum total fee chargeable may not be less than $20,000.
TODAY, shall the Commission assess a filing fee not to exceed $575,000 and set an initial deposit? AND shall the Commission grant the Executive Director authority to enter into necessary consulting contracts? OR how shall the Commission proceed?
3. EL25-030 In the Matter of the Application by Basin Electric Power Cooperative for Energy Facility Permit for a 230 KV Transmission Facility In Haakon County, South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On August 15, 2025, the Commission received a facility permit application from Basin Electric Power Cooperative (Basin Electric). Basin Electric proposes to construct a 0.95-mile long, single-circuit 230 kV Transmission line extension (Project) located in Sections 14 and 15 of 20E, 4N, in Haakon County, South Dakota. The Project is an extension between the new Philip North Switchyard, to be constructed by Western Area Power Administration, and a dead-end transmission structure that will cut into the existing transmission line connected to the Philip Tap switching station. The Project will include construction of up to seven three-phase, single circuit transmission structures constructed on steel H-frame and monopole structures and will include up to four pulling and tensioning sites. Basin Electric estimates the total construction cost of the proposed Project to be $2.48 million. SDCL 49-41B-12 provides for a filing fee to be assessed to cover the Commission’s actual cost of investigating, reviewing, processing, and serving notice of the Application. The maximum fee chargeable, as calculated pursuant to statute, is $6,200. However, according to said statute, the minimum total fee chargeable may not be less than $20,000.
TODAY, shall the Commission assess the statutory filing fee of $20,000? AND shall the Commission grant the Executive Director authority to enter into necessary consulting contracts? OR how shall the Commission proceed?
Natural Gas
1. NG25-004 In the Matter of the Filing by MidAmerican Energy Company for Approval of Its 2024 Economic Development Activities and 2025 Proposed Budget (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen)
On July 21, 2025, MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) filed its 2024 Economic Development Activities and Proposed 2025 Budget for Commission approval. The filing includes MidAmerican’s report on 2024 economic development activities, actual expenses for 2024, and the planned budget for 2025. On August 12, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve MidAmerican Energy Company’s 2024 Economic Development Activities and 2025 Proposed Budget?
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 next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, September 9, 2025, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
2. Commissioners and staff will meet with consumers in the PUC booth in the Expo Building at the South Dakota State Fair August 27 – September 1, 2025, in Huron, South Dakota.
3. Commissioners will attend the East River Electric Power Cooperative annual meeting, Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at the Best Western Ramkota Hotel, Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
4. The PUC office will be closed Monday, September 1, 2025, in observance of Labor Day.
5. Commission meetings are scheduled for September 23 and October 7, 2025.
/s/ Travis Heasley
Travis Heasley
Operations Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
August 21, 2025
