Commission Minutes| previous page
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
March 4, 2014, at 2:30 P.M. CST
Room 414, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING
Chairman Gary Hanson called the meeting to order. Present were: Commissioner: Chris Nelson; Commission Counsel: John Smith and Rolayne Wiest; Commission Advisor: Greg Rislov; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards; Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Robin Meyerink, Eric Paulson, Brittany Mehlhaff, David Henry, and Patrick Steffensen; Consumer Affairs Supervisor: Deb Gregg; and Staff: Joy Lashley and Katlyn Gustafson
Also present were:
Jeff Carmon, Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC; and Darla Rogers and Margo Northrup, Riter, Rogers, Wattier & Northrup, LLP
Joining the meeting by telephone were:
Commissioner Fiegen; Jason Topp, Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC; Jon Thurber and Amy Koenig, Black Hills Power, Inc.; Brian Bultje, Central Electric Cooperative, Inc; and Russell Gall, Charles Mix Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries and Complaints Received by the Commission (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
The Commission received a total of 51 contacts since the last report was prepared for the February 18, 2014 Commission meeting.
5 of the contacts involved telecommunication services, 19 of the contacts involved electrical services, 5 of the contacts involved natural gas service, 3 contacts involved cell phone service, 12 contacts were related to the Do Not Call Registry, and 7 contacts were related to issues not regulated by the PUC.
1,860 of the 1,860 complaints received in 2013 have been resolved.
367 of the 390 complaints received in 2014 have been resolved.Electric
Mr. David Henry, staff analyst, recommended that the Commission approve the proposed electric service territory boundary agreements in the above dockets.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the proposed electric service territory boundary agreement in dockets EL14-007, EL14-008, and EL14-009. Motion carried 3-0.
4. EL14-013 In the Matter of the Application of Black Hills Power, Inc. for Approval of Transmission Facilities Adjustment (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen, Robin Meyerink; Staff Attorney: Karen Cremer)
Ms. Brittany Mehlhaff, staff analyst, recommended that the Commission assess a filing fee up to the amount of $50,000 to account for actual expenses incurred in review of this filing commencing from the filing date. Ms. Mehlhaff also recommended the Commission give the Executive Director authority to enter into necessary consulting contracts.
Commissioner Fiegen moved to assess a filing fee up to the amount of $50,000 to account for actual expenses incurred in review of this filing commencing from the filing date and give the Executive Director authority to enter into necessary consulting contracts. Motion carried 3-0.
One Call
Ms. Kristen Edwards, staff attorney, requested that the Commission withdraw the One Call Boards previous request to bring an action in the name of the State of South Dakota pursuant to SDCL ยง 49-7A-28 for collection of penalties and to close the docket.
Commissioner Fiegen moved to grant the One Call Board’s request to withdraw its request to bring an action for collection of penalty and close the docket. Motion carried 2-0.
Commissioner Nelson recused himself from participation due to a conflict of interest.
Telecommunications
Mr. Jason Topp, Qwest Corporation dba CenturyLink QC (CenturyLink), requested a waiver of the requirement to perform a switched access cost study. Mr. Topp stated that CenturyLink does not intend to raise its rates. Mr. Eric Paulson, staff analyst, recommended that the Commission grant the waiver under ARSD 20:10:27:02 and 20:10:27:07.
Commissioner Nelson moved to grant the Waiver of the Switched Access Cost Study as requested by CenturyLink. Motion carried 3-0.
There being no further business, at the hour of 2:55 p.m. the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.
/S/Joy Lashley
Joy Lashley
Administrative Assistant
PUC Email
March 4, 2014
