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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
May 23, 2023, at 9:30 A.M. CDT
Room 413, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF COMMISSION MEETING
Commission Chairperson Kristie Fiegen called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Chris Nelson; Commission Attorneys Karen Cremer and Adam de Hueck; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Staff Attorneys Kristen Edwards and Amanda Reiss; Staff Analyst Brittany Mehlhaff; and Staff Mikayla Frick.
Also present was Brett Koenecke, May Adam, representing North Bend Wind LLC.
Joining the meeting by telephone were Commissioner Gary Hanson; Staff Analyst Darren Kearney; Jeff Decker, Tom Glanzer and Paul Mantz, NorthWestern Energy.
An audio recording of the meeting can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2023, May 23, 2023, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2023/puc05232023.mp3.
Administration
- Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on May 9, 2023 (Deputy Executive Director: Leah Mohr)
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the Minutes of the Commission Meeting held on May 9, 2023. Motion carried 3-0.
Consumer Reports
- Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
The report was presented by Ms. Kristen Edwards, staff attorney. The Commission received a total of 51 contacts since the last report was prepared for the May 9, 2023, Commission meeting.
Eight contacts were related to telecommunications services, 13 contacts were related to electric services, two contacts were related to natural gas services, six contacts were related to wireless services, three contacts were related to the Do Not Call Registry, four contacts were related to carbon pipelines and 14 contacts were related to issues not regulated by the PUC. One contact was referred to South Dakota One Call.
1,728 of the 1,729 contacts received in 2022 have been resolved.
549 of the 568 contacts received in 2023 have been resolved.
Electric
1. EL21-018 In the Matter of the Application by North Bend Wind Project, LLC for a Permit to Construct and Operate the North Bend Wind Project in Hyde County and Hughes County, South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Darren Kearney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
Mr. Brett Koenecke, May Adam, representing North Bend Wind LLC (North Bend) requested the Commission grant North Bend’s Motion to Approve Escrow Agreement as required by Condition 39 of the Permit. Ms. Amanda Reiss, staff attorney, did not object to the request.
Commissioner Hanson moved to grant North Bend’s Motion to Approve Escrow Agreement. Motion carried 3-0.
2. EL23-011 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Its 2023 Economic Development Plan and 2022 Economic Development Report (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
Mr. Jeff Decker and Mr. Paul Mantz, NorthWestern Energy, requested the Commission approve the company’s 2022 Economic Development Report and 2023 Economic Development Plan. Ms. Brittany Mehlhaff recommended the Commission approve the request.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve NorthWestern Energy’s 2022 Economic Development Report and 2023 Economic Development Plan. Motion carried 3-0.
Natural Gas
1. NG23-010 In the Matter of the Filing by NorthWestern Corporation dba NorthWestern Energy for Approval of Its 2023 Economic Development Plan and 2022 Economic Development Report (Staff Analyst: Brittany Mehlhaff; Staff Attorney: Kristen Edwards)
Mr. Jeff Decker and Mr. Paul Mantz, NorthWestern Energy, requested the Commission approve the company’s 2022 Economic Development Report and 2023 Economic Development Plan. Ms. Brittany Mehlhaff recommended the Commission approve the request.
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve NorthWestern Energy’s 2022 Economic Development Report and 2023 Economic Development Plan. Motion carried 3-0.
There being no further business, at the hour of 9:48 a.m., the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.
/s/ Leah Mohr .
Leah Mohr
Deputy Executive Director
puc@state.sd.us
May 23, 2023
