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Tuesday, November 20, 2007, at 9:30 A.M.

State Capitol Building, Room 412

Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

Chairman Dustin Johnson called the meeting to order.  Present were: Vice Chairman Gary Hanson; Commissioner Steve Kolbeck; Executive Director Patty Van Gerpen; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Commission Attorneys John Smith and Rolayne Wiest; Staff Attorneys Karen Cremer and Kara Semmler; Staff Analysts Keith Senger, and Bob Knadle and Administrative Secretary Demaris Axthelm.

Joining the meeting by telephone were:  Jason Topp, Qwest Corporation; and Jeff Decker, NorthWestern Energy.

Administration

Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on October 9, 2007. (Staff:  Demaris Axthelm)

             Chairman Johnson moved to approve the Commission Minutes of October 9, 2007.  Motion passed 3-0.

Consumer Reports

1.  Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries and Complaints Received by the Commission. (Consumer Affairs:  Deb Gregg)

Ms. Kara Semmler reported that the Commission had received a total of 127 contacts since the last report was prepared for the November 6, 2007, Commission meeting.  12 of the contacts involved telecommunications services; 15 contacts involved electricity issues; 8 contacts involved natural gas issues; 1 contact involved electrical and natural gas services; 7 contacts involved cellular phone issues; 71 contacts involved the Do Not Call Registry; 2 contacts involved wind energy; and 11 contacts involved issues not regulated by the Public Utilities Commission.  In 2007, 1,949 of the 2,113 complaints registered have been resolved informally.  In 2006, 2,308 of the 2,466 complaints registered have been resolved informally.   

Electric

1.        EL07-033 - In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Tariff Revisions. (Staff Analysts:  Keith Senger/Brian Rounds, Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer)

Natural Gas

1.        NG07-021- In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation d/b/a NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Tariff Revisions. (Staff Analysts:  Keith Senger/Brian Rounds, Staff Attorney:  Karen Cremer)

           Chairman Johnson announced that Electric Docket EL07-033 and Natural Gas Docket NG07-021 would be heard together since the proposed tariff revisions are the same for both dockets.  Mr. Jeff Decker, NorthWestern Energy (NWE) explained to the Commission the changes that were made to the bill format, notice of intent to disconnect, return check letter, broken arrangement notice, final past due notice, final demand notice, non sufficient funds notice and budget remove.  Mr. Keith Senger stated that Staff had no objections with the changes made by NWE.  On sheet No. 6 Commissioner Kolbeck requested that the word "it" after the "termination process" be changed to "the termination process."  Chairman Johnson requested that the word "Record" on sheet No. 9 be changed to "record."

Vice Chairman Hanson moved to approve the tariff revisions, in Docket EL07-033 and NG07-021 incorporating the language revisions requested by the Commission.  Motion passed 3-0.

Telecommunications

1.        TC07-106 - In the Matter of the Filing for Approval of an Amendment to an Interconnection Agreement between Qwest Corporation and Comtel Telcom Assets LP d/b/a Excel Telecommunications (Staff Attorney:  Kara Semmler)

           Ms. Kara Semmler stated that the amendment has been properly filed, has been properly executed and does not appear to contain discriminatory provisions. No comments were filed and staff recommends approval of the Amendment.

           Chairman Johnson moved to approve the amendment to the agreement in Docket TC07-106.  Motion passed 3-0.

There being no further business, at the hour of 9:47 am the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting adjourned.

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Demaris Axthelm

Administrative Secretary