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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
August 11, 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, August 10, 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 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 July 28, 2026 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)

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 TC26-008, TC26-009, TC26-019, TC26-022, TC26-023, TC26-026, TC26-027, TC26-028, and TC26-029

          TC26-008                 In the Matter of the Request of Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc., fka SSTELECOM, Inc. (CLEC) for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 399013) (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff)

         On June 9, 2026, the Commission received an application from Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc., fka SSTELECOM, Inc. (CLEC) (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.

         TC26-009        In the Matter of the Request of Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (ILEC) for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391654) (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff)

         On June 9, 2026, the Commission received an application from Interstate Telecommunications Cooperative, Inc. (ILEC) (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.

         TC26-019        In the Matter of the Request of Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 395145) (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson)

         On June 24, 2026, the Commission received an application from Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC (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 22, 2026, the Company responded to staff’s data request.

         TC26-022        In the Matter of the Request of Venture Vision, Inc. for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 399025) (Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On June 26, 2026, the Commission received an application from Venture Vision, 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.

         TC26-023        In the Matter of the Request of Venture Communications Cooperative for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391680) (Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On June 26, 2026, the Commission received an application from Venture Communications Cooperative (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.

         TC26-026        In the Matter of the Request of Jefferson Telephone Company for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391666) (Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On June 30, 2026, the Commission received an application from Jefferson 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 17, 2026, the Company filed Supplemental Exhibit E - Lifeline/Tribal Link Up Advertising Outreach Annual Report.

         TC26-027        In the Matter of the Request of Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 391647) (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson)

         On June 30, 2026, the Commission received an application from Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Telephone Authority (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 21 and 30, 2025, the Company responded to staff’s data requests. On July 31, 2026, the Company responded to staff’s data request.

         TC26-028        In the Matter of the Request of Midcontinent Communications for Certification Regarding Its Use of Federal Universal Service Support (Study Area: 399005) (Staff Analyst: Eric Paulson)

         On June 30, 2026, the Commission received an application from Midcontinent Communications (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 29, 2026, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.

         TC26-029        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 July 1, 2026, 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 29, 2026, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.

         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.      EL26-013        In the Matter of the Application of Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc., for Approval of Deferred Accounting Treatment for Retirement of the Glen Ullin Station 6 (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff)

         On May 12, 2026, the Commission received an application from Montana-Dakota Utilities Co., a Subsidiary of MDU Resources Group Inc. (MDU), for approval of Deferred Accounting Treatment related to the retirement of the Glen Ullin Station 6 (GUS6) generating station. GUS6 utilizes the waste heat generated from a natural gas compressor that ceased continuous operation beginning May 1, 2026. MDU determined retirement of GUS6 on June 1, 2026, was the most cost-effective option. The Company expects the total deferral allocated to South Dakota will be approximately $93,000.

         TODAY, shall the Commission authorize Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. to use deferred accounting for the accelerated depreciation and excess accumulated deferred income taxes related to the retirement of the Glen Ullin Station 6 generating station?

2.      EL26-014        In the Matter of the Application of Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC for a Permit for an Energy Conversion Facility (Staff Analyst: Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Jennie Fuerst)

         On May 14, 2026, the Commission received an Application for an Energy Conversion Facility Permit from Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC (Applicant). Applicant proposes to construct an energy conversion facility in Codington County, South Dakota, known as the battery energy storage system (Project). The Project as proposed consists of 120-megawatt (MW) battery energy storage system (BESS) to store excess energy available on the grid. The Project includes a 120-MW, 4-hour duration BESS facility with associated inverters, transformers, medium voltage (mV) collection cables, and other ancillary facilities, such as fencing, roads, and a supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system. The Project will connect to the existing CRW Collector Substation via approximately 2,215-foot-long mV collection cables. The Project is expected to be in commercial operation in May 2028. Applicant estimates the total construction cost to be $174 million. On June 4, 2026, the Commission issued Order Assessing Filing Fee; Order Authorizing Executive Director to Enter in Consulting Contracts. On July 15, 2026, the Commission issued an order granting party status to Timothy Lindgren, Linda M. Lindgren, and Codington Clark Electric Cooperative. On July 29, 2026, staff filed a Joint Motion for Procedural Schedule between staff and the Applicant. On July 30, 2026, the Commission issued an order granting party status to South Dakota Rural Electric Association (SDREA), Bob Welder, Paul Johnson, Bridget Johnson, and denied the rest of those who applied and petitioned for party status. On July 30, 2026, the Commission issued Order For and Notice of Motion Hearing on Less than 10 Days’ Notice. On August 3, 2026, SDREA submitted a response to Joint Motion to Approval of Procedural Schedule.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant the Joint Motion for Procedural Schedule? OR how shall the Commission proceed?

2.      EL26-020        In the Matter of the Filing by MidAmerican Energy Company for Approval of Tariff Revisions to its Rates for Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac)

         On June 30, 2026, MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) filed a request for approval of tariff revisions to update its Rate QF – Cogeneration and Small Power Production Facilities tariff (Rate QF). This filing updates Rate QF energy and capacity credits based on MidAmerican’s current avoided costs. MidAmerican states it currently has three customers taking service under Rate QF. MidAmerican requests an effective date of August 15, 2026. 

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve MidAmerican’s tariff revisions with an effective date of August 15, 2026?

Natural Gas

1.      NG26-005       In the Matter of MidAmerican Energy Company’s Petition for Extension of Test Period (Staff Analysts: Patrick Steffensen, Brittany Mehlhaff, Eric Paulson, Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

         On July 14, 2026, the Commission received a Petition for Extension of Test Period from MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican), requesting extension of the test period required by ARSD 20:10:13:44. ARSD 20:10:13:44 requires the use of a test period consisting of 12 months of actual experience ending no earlier than 6 months before the date of filing unless good cause for extension is shown. MidAmerican requests authorization to use a calendar year 2025 test period in support of its proposed natural gas rate case filing on or before September 1, 2026.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve the Petition for Extension of Test Period?

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.  Commissioners and staff will attend the South Dakota Telecommunications Association’s Annual Conference, August 16-18, 2026, at The Lodge at Deadwood, Deadwood, South Dakota.

2.   The next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, August 25, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.

3.   Commissioners and staff will meet with consumers in the PUC booth in the Expo Building at the South Dakota State Fair, September 2-7, 2026, in Huron, South Dakota. 

4.   The PUC office will be closed Monday, September 7, 2026, in observance of Labor Day.

5.   Commission meetings are scheduled for September 8 and 22, 2026.

 

  /s/ Cindy Kemnitz                 .
Cindy Kemnitz
Deputy Executive Director/Finance Manager
puc@state.sd.us
August 4, 2026