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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
November 4, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CST
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. CST on Tuesday, November 3, 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 October 6, 2026 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)

2.      Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on October 20, 2026 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)

Consumer Reports

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

Telecommunications

1.      TC26-030        In the Matter of the Application of Impact Telecom, LLC for a Certificate of Authority for Interexchange Services in South Dakota (Staff Attorney: Logan Schaefbauer)

         On September 25, 2026, the Commission received an Application from Impact Telecom, LLC (Impact) for a Certificate of Authority for Interexchange Services in South Dakota. Impact seeks to provide resold, interexchange Voice-Over Internet Protocol services on a wholesale basis throughout the state of South Dakota. On October 19, 2026, Impact responded to Staff’s First Set of Data Requests. On October 26, 2026, Staff issued a Second Set of Data Requests and requested Impact provide responses by Monday, November 2, 2026.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant Impact’s request for a Certificate of Authority to provide interexchange services in South Dakota? OR how shall the Commission proceed?

Electric

1.      EL25-028        In the Matter of the Application by Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Missouri River Energy Services for a Facility Permit for an Energy Conversion 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). Included in the Application as Appendix G – Level III Cultural Resource Records Search.  This Cultural Resource information was filed as a confidential document.  On October 7, 2026, Suzie Pratt, a non-party to the docket, filed a Request for Access to Confidential Information under ARSD 20:10:01:43.  In her request, Ms. Pratt seeks access to the Cultural Resource information.  Pursuant to ARSD 20:10:01:42, the Commission must determine confidentiality when a request for access to information filed confidentially has been made.  On October 26, 2026, Applicant filed a Motion to Withdraw Application.

2.      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 for the PowerOn: Big Stone South to Brookings County to South Dakota/Minnesota Border Project.  Included in the Application as Appendix D – Level I Cultural Resource Records Search.  This Cultural Resource information was filed as a confidential document.  On October 2, 2026, Suzie Pratt, a non-party to the docket, filed a Request for Access to Confidential Information under ARSD 20:10:01:43.  In her request, Ms. Pratt seeks access to the Cultural Resource information.  Pursuant to ARSD 20:10:01:42, the Commission must determine confidentiality when a request for access to information filed confidentially has been made.

3.      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.  Included in the Application as Appendix F – Level I Cultural Resource Records Search.  This Cultural Resource information was filed as a confidential document.  On October 2, 2026, Suzie Pratt, a non-party to the docket, filed a Request for Access to Confidential Information under ARSD 20:10:01:43.  In her request, Ms. Pratt seeks access to the Cultural Resource information.  Pursuant to ARSD 20:10:01:42, the Commission must determine confidentiality when a request for access to information filed confidentially has been made.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant Ms. Pratt’s request for access to the information as filed in each of the above dockets (EL25-028, EL26-026, and EL26-028)?  OR, shall the Commission deem the information to be confidential?  OR, how shall the Commission proceed?

4.      EL25-028        In the Matter of the Application by Western Minnesota Municipal Power Agency and Missouri River Energy Services for a Facility Permit for an Energy Conversion 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 4.3 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. On July 15, 2026, the Commission issued an Order Granting Motion to Extend Deadline to February 8, 2027. On October 26, 2026, Applicants filed a Motion to Withdraw Application. The parties to this docket, Applicants and Commission staff, waive notice requirements so that this Motion may be heard at the November 4, 2026, Commission meeting.

           TODAY, shall the Commission grant the Motion to Withdraw Application?

5.      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 for the PowerOn: Big Stone South to Brookings County to South Dakota/Minnesota Border Project. On September 30, 2026, the Commission received an Application for Party Status from Matthew Holden on behalf of Lake Cochrane Improvement Association (LCIA). On October 14, 2026, PowerOn filed a Response objecting to LCIA’s Application for Party Status. On October 26, 2026, Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc (MISO) filed a Petition to Intervene. On October 19, 2026, the Commission issued a Notice of Hearing to consider the Application for Party Status from LCIA and the Petition to Intervene by MISO at the November 4, 2026, Commission meeting. On October 26, 2026, Lake Cochrane Improvement Association filed a Response to Objections of Applicants.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant Party Status to Lake Cochrane Improvement Association and Midcontinent Independent System Operator, Inc.? OR, how shall the Commission proceed?

6.      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 13, 2026, the Commission issued an Order Granting Intervention to Dakota Panel, Fischer Furniture, Inc., Forest Products Distributors, Inc., GCC Dacotah, Inc., Monument Health Rapid City Hospital, Inc., Pete Lien & Sons, Inc., the South Dakota Science and Technology Authority, and Spearfish Forest Products Inc., collectively referred to as the South Dakota Large Customer Group (SDLCG). On October 26, 2026, BHP, SDLCG, and Staff filed a Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation, and a Settlement Stipulation, including BHP’s Interim Rate Refund Plan, and Staff filed a Staff Memorandum Supporting Settlement Stipulation. The Settlement proposes final rates be effective December 1, 2026.

         TODAY, shall the Commission grant the Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation and approve the rates, tariff sheets, terms and conditions stipulated therein? AND shall the Commission approve BHP’s Interim Rate Refund Plan? OR how shall the Commission proceed?

7.      EL25-012        In the Matter of the Filing by Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy for Approval to Amend Its Energy Cost Adjustment Tariff to Include Costs and Benefits Related to Participation in Regional Markets (Staff Analyst: Patrick Steffensen; Staff Attorneys: Amanda Reiss, Jennie Fuerst)

           On March 31, 2025, the Commission received an application from Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy (BHP) requesting approval to amend its existing Energy Cost Adjustment (ECA) tariff to include costs related to the transition to the Western Energy Imbalance Market (WEIM) and to include costs/benefits, including implementation costs, of participation in the WEIM market in the ECA tariff. On August 13, 2025, BHP filed responses to staff’s first, second, third, fourth, and fifth sets of data requests. On September 10, 2025, BHP filed responses to staff’s sixth set of data requests. On October 1, 2025, BHP filed responses to staff’s seventh set of data requests. On October 27, 2026, BHP filed a motion to withdraw its application and dismiss the docket without prejudice. The motion states the issues presented in the docket have since been addressed and resolved in BHP’s rate review proceeding, Docket EL26-003.

           TODAY, shall the Commission grant Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy’s motion to withdraw its application and dismiss the docket without prejudice? OR how shall the Commission proceed?

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 Xcel Energy on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at 10 a.m. CST in Room 413 at the State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota. The agenda is to discuss an update on Xcel Energy’s operations, finance and customer service activities.

2. The PUC office will be closed Wednesday, November 11, 2026, in observance of Veterans Day.

3. The next regular commission meeting will be Thursday, November 19, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. CST in Room 413, State Capitol Building, Pierre, South Dakota.

4. Public Input Meetings for docket EL26-031 - In the Matter of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation, dba NorthWestern Energy, for an Energy Conversion Facility Permit to Construct the Hub City Energy Park Natural Gas Generation Facility,Including a Natural Gas Transmission Pipeline, Near Aberdeen, South Dakota will be held:

  • Monday, November 23, 2026, at 5:30 p.m., CST at the Dakota Event Center, Dakota Room, 720 Lamont St., Aberdeen, South Dakota.

5. Commission meetings are scheduled for December 5 and 16, 2026. 

  /s/ Sara Weiss                 .
Sara Weiss
Operations Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
October 28, 2026