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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
May 19, 2026, 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, May 18, 2026, 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 must 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)
Gas and Electric
1. GE26-001 In the Matter of the Application of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation for Approval of an Order Authorizing it to Issue up to $500 Million of Securities Including $305 Million of Replacement Securities (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On April 20, 2026, NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation (NorthWestern) filed an application requesting approval pursuant to SDCL 49-34A-29, to issue $500 million in debt securities. The Petition states NorthWestern seeks authority to issue, as NorthWestern determines necessary, secured debt securities, not to exceed $300 million, and unsecured debt securities, not to exceed $200 million by methods approved by the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission. NorthWestern states it intends to issue securities for the purpose of supporting its state-regulated capital expenditures and acquisitions of state-regulated assets; the refunding and repayment of its outstanding obligations, including replacement of debt that expires in 2026; and for other general corporate purposes.
TODAY, shall the Commission authorize NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation to issue up to $300 million in secured debt securities and up to $200 million in unsecured debt securities?
Telecommunications
1. TC26-002 In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of the Carrier Partner for Interconnected VoIP Provider Amendment to the Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC and Bandwidth.com CLEC, LLC for the State of South Dakota (Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On April 24, 2026, 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 Bandwidth.com CLEC, LLC.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the amendment to the interconnection agreement?
Electric
1. EL26-003 In the Matter of the Application of Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy for Authority to Increase Rates For its Utility Service in South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Eric Paulson, Joseph Rezac, Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
On February 19, 2026, the Commission received an application by Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy (BHP) for approval to increase rates for electric service to customers in its South Dakota service territory by approximately $50.6 million annually or approximately 25.1% based on BHP’s test year ending September 30, 2025. The Company states a typical residential electric customer using 650 kWh per month would see an increase of $25.13 per month. The proposed changes may potentially affect approximately 75,000 customers in BHP’s South Dakota service territory. On May 11, 2026, Staff filed a Motion for Approval of Procedural Schedule.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant Staff’s Motion for Approval of Procedural Schedule? OR how shall the Commission proceed?
2. EL26-009 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Its 2026 Economic Development Plan and 2025 Economic Development Report (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen)
On March 31, 2026, the Commission received a filing from NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) for Approval of its 2026 Economic Development Plan and 2025 Economic Development Report. On April 23, 2026, NorthWestern filed a Revised Attachment A and Revised Attachment B. On May 1, 2026, NorthWestern filed responses to staff’s data requests.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve NorthWestern Energy’s 2025 Economic Development Report and 2026 Economic Development Plan?
Natural Gas
1. NG26-003 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Its 2026 Economic Development Plan and 2025 Economic Development Report (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen)
On March 31, 2026, the Commission received a filing from NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) for Approval of its 2026 Economic Development Plan and 2025 Economic Development Report. On April 23, 2026, NorthWestern filed a Revised Attachment B. On May 1, 2026, NorthWestern filed responses to staff’s data requests.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve NorthWestern Energy’s 2025 Economic Development Report and 2026 Economic Development Plan?
Item for Commission Discussion
Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) Survey: Commission staff (staff) surveyed each permitted wind farm equipped with an Aircraft Detection Lighting System (ADLS) to learn from wind farm operators about their experience with operating an ADLS and to collect ADLS performance data to understand how those systems are functioning. At the May 19, 2026, Commission meeting, staff will present the ADLS survey results to the Commission and request guidance from the Commission as to whether the Commission is interested in scheduling a workshop with wind farm operators and ADLS original equipment manufacturers to better understand the capabilities of ADLSs. The ADLS survey results presentation can be found at
2026 Info EL7 – PUC Staff’s Aircraft Detection Lighting System Performance Presentation
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, June 2, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
2. The PUC office will be closed May 25, 2026, in observance of Memorial Day.
3. Commission meetings are scheduled for June 18 and 30, 2026.
/s/ Travis Heasley
Travis Heasley
Operations Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
May 12, 2026
