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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
Thursday, April 20, 2006, at 1:00 P.M.
State Capitol Building, Room 413
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE AD HOC COMMISSION MEETING

Chairman Sahr called the meeting to order.  Also present were; Vice Chairman Dustin Johnson;Commissioner Gary Hanson; Commission Attorney John Smith; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Sara Greff; Staff Analysts Dave Jacobson, Harlan Best, Bob Knadle, Nathan Solem and Keith Senger; and Administrative Secretary Tina Douglas.

Also present was Bob Miller, South Dakota Electric Utilities Association.

Natural Gas

1.    NG06-004          In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a/ NorthWestern Energy for Approval of a Contract with Deviations with Commercial Asphalt.  (Staff Analysts:  Dave Jacobson and Nathan Solem, Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer)

Mr. Dave Jacobson stated that NorthWestern Energy is requesting approval of a contract with deviations to construct facilities in order to provide expanded service to Commercial Asphalt near Mitchell, South Dakota, with less than 30 days notice.  Mr. Jacobson stated the contract has been slightly modified since filed and recommended approval of the contract with deviations as revised with less than 30 days notice.

Chairman Sahr moved to grant the contract with deviations with less than 30 days notice.  Commissioner Hanson seconded and Commissioner Johnson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.

Electric

1.    EL05 022           In the Matter of the Application by Otter Tail Power Company on behalf of Big Stone II Co Owners for an Energy Conversion Facility Permit for the Construction of the Big Stone II Project.  (Staff Analysts:  Bob Knadle, Martin Bettmann, and Nathan Solem, Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer)

Mr. John Smith stated that on April 4, 2006, counsel for Otter Tail Power Company (Otter Tail) advised the Commission and all parties on the E-Service List via email that one of Otter Tail's witnesses, Kiah Harris, had a scheduling conflict over the week of June 26-30 and requested that an alternative arrangement be approved for taking Mr. Harris's testimony and cross-examination.  Otter Tail has been in contact with Mr. Smith and indicated that the scheduling conflict has been resolved and asked for the request to be withdrawn.

Chairman Sahr moved to approve Otter Tail's withdrawal of its request regarding the scheduling conflict.  Commissioner Johnson seconded and Commissioner Hanson concurred. Motion passed 3-0.

Meeting adjourned.

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Tina Douglas
Administrative Secretary