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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
June 18, 2026, at 10:30 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 Wednesday, June 17, 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)
Administration
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on May 19, 2026, and June 2, 2026 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)
Electric
1. EL25-024 In the Matter of Application of Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy for Authority to Increase its Electric Rates (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Eric Paulson, Joseph Rezac, Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)
On June 30, 2025, the Commission received an application by Northern States Power Company dba Xcel Energy (Xcel) for authority to increase rates for electric service in South Dakota. With its Application, Xcel requests a net annual incremental increase in revenues of $43.6 million, or approximately 15%. Additionally, the costs of certain projects that are currently recovered through the Infrastructure Rider and the Transmission Cost Recovery Rider will be rolled into base rates, resulting in a gross overall base rate increase of $63.4 million. Xcel states a typical residential electric customer using 756 kWh per month would see an average monthly bill increase of about $20.56 or 18.66%. The proposed changes may affect approximately 107,000 electric customers in South Dakota. Interim rates were effective January 1, 2026, consistent with the moratorium in effect pursuant to the settlement stipulation approved by the Commission in docket EL22-017. On October 1, 2025, staff and Xcel filed a Joint Motion for Approval of Procedural Schedule. On October 9, 2025, Steven Wegman was granted late intervention. On April 24, 2026, Xcel and staff filed a Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation, a Settlement Stipulation, including Xcel’s Interim Refund Plan, and Intervenor Steven Wegman’s Concurrence to the Settlement, and staff filed a Staff Memorandum Supporting Settlement Stipulation. On May 13, 2026, the Commission issued an Order Granting Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation; Order Approving Refund Plan; Order Approving Tariff Revisions (Order). On June 8, 2026, Xcel filed a Letter Regarding Errata Customer Notice and Final Tariffs. The filing included corrections to the previously approved customer notice and bill backer tariff sheet as well as revisions to two infrastructure rider tariff sheets. The revisions are necessary to reflect changes resulting from the approved Settlement Stipulation. On June 10, 2026, Xcel filed revised tariff sheets to reflect that approval is requested on less than 30 days’ notice.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the revised customer notice and the tariff revisions on less than 30 days’ notice, effective July 1, 2026?
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. On June 9, 2026, NorthWestern filed supplemental information.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve NorthWestern Energy’s 2025 Economic Development Report and 2026 Economic Development Plan?
3. EL26-019 In the Matter of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation’s dba NorthWestern Energy’s Petition for Approval of Its 2026 Phase-In Rate Plan Rider Tariff Revisions (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)
On June 1, 2026, the Commission received a petition by NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) for Approval of its Phase-In Rate Plan Rider (PIRP Rider). NorthWestern proposes to update the PIRP Rider to reflect applicable revenue requirements for the recovery period September 1, 2026, through June 30, 2027, including continued recovery of capital investment costs associated with the Aberdeen Generation Station electric generation rebuild and costs related to its continued evaluation of Small Modular Nuclear Reactors (SMR) technology. NorthWestern is also requesting to include costs related to the Aberdeen 3 Generation Station that is currently under development. The proposed rates and monthly impact will vary by customer class. NorthWestern states a typical residential electric customer using an average of 750 kWh per month will be billed at an increase of $5.01 per month under the proposed PIRP Rider. NorthWestern requests Commission approval of its proposed PIRP Rider with an effective date of September 1, 2026.
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? AND shall the Commission give the Executive Director authority to enter into necessary consulting contracts?
Gas and Electric
1. GE25-001 In the Matter of the Joint Application of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation, Black Hills Corporation and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., for Approval of Merger (Staff Analysts: Patrick Steffensen, Brittany Mehlhaff, Eric Paulson; Staff Attorneys: Jennie Fuerst, Logan Schaefbauer)
On October 27, 2025, Black Hills Corporation (Black Hills) and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc. (NorthWestern Group and collectively, the Merger Parties) and NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy (NorthWestern) (together with Merger Parties, the Joint Applicants) filed a Joint Application for Approval of Merger. On October 30, 2025, the Commission electronically transmitted notice of the filing and the intervention deadline of November 14, 2025, to interested individuals and entities on the Commission’s PUC weekly filing electronic listserv. On December 3, 2025, the Commission granted South Dakota Laborers Local 620, the Great Plains Laborer’s District Council, and the Laborers International Union of North America’s (together, Intervenors) Petition to Intervene. On February 17, 2026, the Commission issued an Order Granting Motion and Stipulation to Extend Statutory Deadline to July 27, 2026. On April 29, 2026, the Joint Applicants and staff filed a Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation (Settlement Stipulation). On May 27, 2026, the Commission issued an Order for and Notice of Evidentiary Hearing. On May 27, 2026, staff filed a Motion for Time Certain for Witness Testimony (Motion). The Motion requests the Commission to allow staff’s witness Ryan Pfaff to testify on June 22, 2026, if possible, including out of order if necessary.
TODAY, shall the Commission grant Staff’s Motion for Time Certain for Witness Testimony? OR how shall the Commission proceed?
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. On June 9, 2026, NorthWestern filed supplemental information.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve NorthWestern Energy’s 2025 Economic Development Report and 2026 Economic Development Plan?
Pipeline Safety
1. PS25-003 In the Matter of PUC Staff’s Complaint Against Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy (Pipeline Safety Staff: Mary Zanter, Boice Hillmer; Staff Analyst: Darren Kearney; Staff Attorneys: Jennie Fuerst, Logan Schaefbauer)
On November 4, 2025, staff filed a Complaint against Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy (Respondent) alleging violations of SDCL chapters 49-34B and 49-41B, as well as associated administrative rules. On November 25, 2025, Respondent filed a Motion to Dismiss and Answer to Complaint (Motion to Dismiss). The Parties agreed to a procedural schedule on the Motion and the Commission issued an Order for and Notice of Hearing on December 11, 2025. On January 2, 2026, staff filed a Brief in Opposition to the Motion to Dismiss Answer to Complaint. On January 29, 2026, the Commission issued an Order Denying Motion to Dismiss. On February 25, 2026, staff filed a Settlement Stipulation and Agreement. On March 11, 2026, the Commission issued an Order Approving Settlement Stipulation and Agreement. On June 10, 2026, staff filed an Amended Settlement Stipulation and Agreement.
TODAY, shall the Commission approve the Amended Settlement Stipulation and Agreement? OR how shall the Commission proceed?
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 30, 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 Friday, June 19, 2026, in observance of Juneteenth.
3. An evidentiary hearing for docket GE25-001 - In the Matter of the Joint Application of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation, Black Hills Corporation and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., for Approval of Merger will be held beginning at 10:00 a.m. CDT, on Monday, June 22 through Wednesday, June 24, 2026, in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.
4. A Public Input Meeting for docket EL26-014 - In the Matter of the Application of Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC for a Permit for an Energy Conversion Facility will be held Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CMDT at the Waverly/South Shore School Gymnasium, 319 Mary Pl. Waverly, South Dakota.
5. The PUC office will be closed Friday, July 3, 2026, in observance of Independence Day.
6. Commission meetings are scheduled for July 14 and 28, 2026.
/s/ Travis Heasley
Travis Heasley
Operations Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
June 11, 2026
