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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Tuesday, March 14, 2006, at 1:30 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 412
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Bob Sahr called the meeting to order. Also present were Vice Chairman Dustin Johnson; Executive Director Patty Van Gerpen; Commission Attorneys Rolayne Ailts Wiest and John Smith; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Staff Attorney Karen Cremer; Staff Analysts Dave Jacobson, Harlan Best, Bob Knadle, Nathan Solem and Keith Senger; and Administrative Secretary Tina Douglas.
Also present was Darla Rogers, Riter, Rogers, Wattier & Brown representing Midstate Telecom, Inc.
Joining the meeting by telephone were Commissioner Gary Hanson; Colleen Sevold, Qwest Corporation; Dave Ross, Otter Tail Power Company; and Mark Benton, Midstate Communications.
Electricity
1. EL05-027 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Tariff Revisions. (Staff Analyst: Dave Jacobson, Staff Attorney: Sara Greff)
Mr. Dave Jacobson asked that this docket be deferred.
Chairman Sahr moved to defer Docket EL05-027. Commissioner Johnson seconded and Commissioner Hanson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
2. EL06-005 In the Matter of the Filing by Otter Tail Corporation d/b/a Otter Tail Power Company for Approval of Tariff Revisions. (Staff Analyst: Dave Jacobson and Nathan Solem, Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer)
Mr. Dave Ross, Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail) stated that this was an administrative change regarding new rate codes for interruptible electric service. This short duration cycling of curtailment is now possible because of a new load management system Otter Tail is currently installing. Mr. Nathan Solem stated that Otter Tail Power Company has filed for approval of three new interruptible power rate codes on three controlled service tariffs. There is no rate change and no history for this rate code since it is brand new. The filing will allow those customers served under the new rate code to be separately identified and allow for information to be gathered regarding cycling load management for rate setting purposes at a later time. Mr. Solem recommended approval of the tariff revisions.
Chairman Sahr moved to approve the tariff revisions in EL06-005. Commissioner Johnson seconded and Commissioner Hanson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Telecommunications
1. TC05-060 In the Matter of the Filing by Midstate Telecom, Inc. for an Extension of an Exemption from Developing Company Specific Cost-Based Switched Access Rates. (Staff Analyst: Keith Senger, Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer)
Ms. Darla Rogers asked that this docket be deferred until the next commission meeting to enable Midstate and staff to finalize the settlement agreement..
Chairman Sahr moved to defer Docket TC05-060. Commissioner Hanson seconded and Commissioner Johnson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
2. In the Matter of the Approval of the Amendments to Agreements in TC06-011, TC06-012, TC06-013, TC06-015, and TC06-016
TC06-011 In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of an Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation and OrbitCom, Inc. (Staff Attorney: Sara Greff)
TC06-012 In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of an Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation and New Edge Network, Inc. d/b/a New Edge Networks (Staff Attorney: Sara Greff)
TC06-013 In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of an Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation and New Edge Network, Inc. d/b/a New Edge Networks (Staff Attorney: Sara Greff)
TC06-016 In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of an Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation and Northern Valley Communications, LLC. (Staff Attorney: Sara Greff)
Ms. Karen Cremer stated that all the companies have active Certificates of Authority, that the Amendments to the Agreements have been properly filed, have been properly executed and do not appear to contain discriminatory provisions and that no comments were filed. Ms. Cremer recommended approval of the Amendments to the Agreements.
Commissioner Johnson moved to approve the Amendments to the Agreements in TC06-011, TC06-012, TC06-013, TC06-015, and TC06-016. Commissioner Hanson seconded and Chairman Sahr concurred. Motion passed 3-0.
Meeting adjourned.
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Tina Douglas
Administrative Secretary
