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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
September 22, 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, September 21, 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 September 8, 2026 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)

Consumer Reports

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

Telecommunications

1.      TC23-005        In the Matter of the Petition of GO MD USA LLC, dba GO MD USA Mobile 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: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

         On March 20, 2023, the Commission received a Petition by GO MD USA LLC dba GO MD USA Mobile (GO MD) for Designation as an Eligible Telecommunications Carrier (ETC) in the State of South Dakota. GO MD is seeking statewide ETC designation for limited purpose of providing Lifeline services to qualifying customers. On April 18, 2023, South Dakota Telecommunications Association (SDTA) was granted Intervention. On May 8, 2023, SDTA and GO MD filed a Stipulation Agreement. On August 21, 2026, staff filed a Motion to Dismiss, stating that GO MD has been unresponsive to Staff data requests and communications and requesting this docket be dismissed without prejudice. The Commission issued an Order for and Notice of Hearing on Motion to Dismiss on August 26, 2026.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant Staff’s Motion to Dismiss? OR, how shall the Commission proceed?

2.      TC26-018        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: Joseph Rezac)

         On June 24, 2026, 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.

         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 for Fort Randall Telephone Company?

Electric

1.      EL26-026        In the Matter of the Application of Xcel Energy and Otter Tail Power Company for an Energy Facility Permit to Construct the PowerOn Midwest Project Consisting of a 765-kV Transmission Line, a 345-kV Transmission Line, and Associated Facilities (Staff Analysts: Jon Thurber, Anuja Oke; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

         On September 4, 2026, the Commission received a facility permit application (Application) from Northern States Power Company, doing business as Xcel Energy, and Otter Tail Power Company, (collectively, Applicants) for the PowerOn: Big Stone South to Brookings County to South Dakota/Minnesota Border Project (Project). The Project will consist of an approximately 90-mile long 765 kilovolt (kV) transmission line located in Grant, Deuel and Brookings Counties in South Dakota and associated facilities including the Big Stone Station Expansion in Grant County, and the 345 kV Brookings County Substation expansion (consisting of an expansion of the current 345 kV Brookings County Substation and a new expansion area to enable the 765 kV connection approximately five miles away) in Brookings County. The Project also includes an approximately five-mile long 345 kV transmission line connecting the Brookings County 345 kV Substation Expansion to the Brookings County 765 kV Substation expansion. Applicants anticipate construction to be completed and in service in 2034. Applicants estimate the total construction cost of the proposed Project to be $1.284 billion with the potential costs to hit $1.666 billion as calculated with contingencies. As calculated pursuant to statute, the maximum fee chargeable without contingencies is $842,000, the maximum fee including contingencies is $1,033,000.

         TODAY, shall the Commission assess a filing fee? AND shall the Commission authorize the Executive Director to enter into necessary consulting contracts?

2.      EL26-028        In the Matter of the Application of Otter Tail Power Company for a Facility Permit for the Big Stone South to Hankinson to Bison 345 kV Transmission Line Project (Staff Analysts: Anuja Oke, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On September 8, 2026, the Commission received an Application from Otter Tail Power Company (Applicant) for a Transmission Facility Permit for an electric transmission line in Grant and Roberts Counties, South Dakota. Specifically, Applicant proposes to construct a new 345kV electric transmission line (“the Project”). The South Dakota portion of the Project consists of approximately 71 miles of 345 kV transmission line that runs from the existing Big Stone South Substation located west of Big Stone City, South Dakota, to the South Dakota – North Dakota border at a location northeast of New Effington, South Dakota, between Lien and Victor Townships. The Project will consist of single-circuit transmission structures constructed on steel, single-pole (monopole) structures. The Project will also involve modifications to the existing Big Stone South Substation to accommodate new breaker positions, switches for the new single-circuit 345 kV transmission line, and relocation of the 345 kV Big Stone South to Ellendale termination into the substation. Facility components will also include temporary laydown/staging areas, pulling/tensioning sites, and access roads. The Project is expected to be located along 1,286.4 acres of right-of-way located in South Dakota. The Project would have a 150-foot right-of-way along the length of the transmission line. The Project estimates construction costs between $190.6 to $228.7 million and is expected to start construction in 2030, complete in 2033, and in service by the first quarter of 2034. 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. Using an estimated construction cost of $190,600,000, the maximum fee chargeable, as calculated pursuant to statute, is $295,300. Using an estimated construction cost of $228,700,000, the maximum fee chargeable is $314,350.

         TODAY, shall the Commission assess a filing fee? AND shall the Commission authorize the Executive Director to enter into necessary consulting contracts?

Natural Gas

1.      NG26-004      In the Matter of the Filing by MidAmerican Energy Company for Approval of Its 2025 Economic Development Activities and 2026 Proposed Budget (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff)

         On June 10, 2026, MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) filed its 2025 Economic Development Activities and Proposed 2026 Budget for Commission approval. The filing includes MidAmerican’s report on 2025 economic development activities, actual expenses for 2025, and the planned budget for 2026. On September 4, 2026, the Company responded to staff’s data requests.

         TODAY, shall the Commission approve MidAmerican Energy Company’s 2025 Economic Development Activities and 2026 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.   Commissioners and staff will meet with representatives of Southwest Power Pool on Friday, October 2, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. CDT. The meeting will be held via Teams video conference and in the Commission’s Conference Room at the State Capitol Building in Pierre, South Dakota. The agenda is to discuss SPP’s proposed integrated transmission plan. To reserve a spot for the virtual meeting, contact the PUC at 605-773-3201 by 5:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday, October 1.

2.   The next regular commission meeting will be Tuesday, October 6, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CDT in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.

3. The PUC office will be closed Monday, October 12, 2026, in observance of Native American Day.  

4. Commission meetings are scheduled for October 20 and November 6, 2026.  

5. Public Input Meetings for docket EL26-026 - In the Matter of the Application of Xcel Energy and Otter Tail Power Company for an Energy Facility Permit to Construct the PowerOn Midwest Project Consisting of a 765-kV Transmission Line, a 345-kV Transmission Line, and Associated Facilities will be held:

  • Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at 6:00 p.m. CDT, at the Brookings Inn, 2500 E. Sixth St., Brookings, South Dakota.
  • Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 12:00 p.m., CDT at the Milbank School Theater, 1001 E. Park Ave., Milbank, South Dakota.
  • Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., CDT at the Clear Lake Community Center, 218 Third Ave. S., Clear Lake, South Dakota.

6. Public Input Meetings for docket EL26-028 - In the Matter of the Application of Otter Tail Power Company for a Facility Permit for the Big Stone South to Hankinson to Bison 345 kV Transmission Line Project will be held:

  • Wednesday, October 21, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., CDT at the Milbank School Theater, 1001 E. Park Ave., Milbank, South Dakota.
  • Thursday, October 22, 2026, at 11:00 a.m., CDT at the Rosholt Community Center, 19 E. Main St., Rosholt, South Dakota.

  

  /s/ Leah Mohr                 .
Leah Mohr
Executive Director
puc@state.sd.us
September 14, 2026