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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
October 30, 2019, at 9:30 A.M. CDT
Room 423, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF THE COMMISSION MEETING

Commissioner Chris Nelson called the meeting to order. Commission Attorneys: Karen Cremer and Adam de Hueck; Staff Attorneys: Kristen Edwards and Amanda Reiss; Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber, Patrick Steffensen, Joseph Rezac and Eric Paulson; Consumer Affairs Manager: Deb Gregg; and Staff: Kaitlyn Baucom.

Present were: Brett Koenecke, May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP, representing Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. and Tatanka Ridge Wind, LLC; Gordon Woods, South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company; and Paul Bachand, Moreno, Lee & Bachand, P.C., representing South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company.

Joining the meeting by telephone were: Commissioners: Gary Hanson and Kristie Fiegen; Jon McDonald, Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc.; Katelyn Lynch-Butcher, Amanda Hosch and Tina Yoder, MidAmerican Energy Company; and Tamie Aberle, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co.

Administration

1.     Approval of Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on October 15, 2019. (Staff: Joy Lashley)

     Commissioner Hanson moved to approve the minutes of the Commission meeting held on October 15, 2019. Motion carried 3-0.

Consumer Reports

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

The Commission received a total of 51 contacts since the last report was prepared for the October 15, 2019, Commission meeting.

Ten contacts were related to telecommunication services, seven contacts were related to electrical services, two contacts were related to natural gas services, five contacts were related to wireless service, three contacts were related to the Do Not Call Registry, two contacts were referred to One Call, one contact was related to Wind Energy, five contacts were related to the Grain Warehouse Division, one contact was related to the Dakota Access Pipeline and 15 contacts were related to issues not regulated by the PUC. 

Contacts received in 2019: 1055 of the 1065 have been resolved.

Electric

1.     EL19-026     In the Matter of the Application by Tatanka Ridge Wind, LLC for a Permit of a Wind Energy Facility in Deuel County, South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber, Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorneys: Kristen Edwards, Amanda Reiss)

Mr. Brett Koenecke, May, Adam, Gerdes & Thompson LLP, representing Tatanka Ridge Wind, LLC(Tatanka), asked that the Commission grant Ms. Annette Sturgill be permitted to appear telephonically for the evidentiary hearing. Ms. Kristen Edwards, staff attorney, recommended that the Commission approve the request.

     Commissioner Fiegen moved to grant Tatanka’s Motion for Telephonic Testimony. Motion carried 3-0.

2.     EL19-036     In the Matter of the Joint Request for Service Rights Exception between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Douglas Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Staff Analyst: Lorena Reichert; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

Mr. Jon McDonald, Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. (Southeastern), asked that the Commission approve the requested service rights exception between Southeastern and Douglas Electric Cooperative, Inc. Ms. Amanda Reiss, staff attorney, recommended that the Commission approve the request.

     
     Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the requested service rights exception between Southeastern Electric Cooperative, Inc. and Douglas Electric Cooperative, Inc. Motion carried 3-0.

Gas and Electric

1.      GE19-002      In the Matter of the Filing by MidAmerican Energy Company for the Approval of Its Reconciliation and Annual Report for 2018 and 2018 Reconciliation for the Energy Efficiency Cost Recovery Factor (Staff Analyst: Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)

A lengthy discussion took place for docket GE19-002. An audio of the discussion can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2019, October 30, 2019, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2019/puc10302019.mp3.

     Commissioner Nelson moved that MidAmerican end its energy efficiency measures and programs at the end of 2019. Motion carried 3-0.

Natural Gas

1.     NG17-009      In the Matter of the Application of South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company for Authority to Increase its Natural Gas Rates (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen, Eric Paulson; Staff Attorneys: Kristen Edwards, Amanda Reiss)

A lengthy discussion took place for docket NG17-009. An audio of the discussion can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2019, October 30, 2019, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2019/puc10302019.mp3.

     Commissioner Nelson moved to grant the Joint Motion for Approval of Amendment to Settlement Stipulation and approve the rates, revised tariff sheets, terms and conditions stipulated therein effective November 1, 2019, on less than 30 days’ notice. Motion carried 3-0.
     
There being no further business, at the hour of 10:12 a.m., the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.

/s/Joy Lashley     .
Joy Lashley
Administrative Specialist
PUC Email
October 30, 2019