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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
September 23, 2025, at 9:30 A.M. CDT
Room 413, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF COMMISSION MEETING
Commission Chairman Gary Hanson called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Chris Nelson and Commissioner Kristie Fiegen; Commission Attorney Kristen Edwards; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Staff Attorneys Jennie Fuerst and Amanda Reiss; Staff Analysts Darren Kearney and Jon Thurber; Consumer Affairs Manager Deb Gregg; and Administrative Staff Joy Irving.
Also present was Kevin Kouba, Otter Tail Power Company.
Joining the meeting by telephone were Brian Murphy, NextEra Energy Resources, LLC; and Mike Nadolski, Lynn, Jackson, Shultz & Lebrun, P.C., representing Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC.
An audio recording of the meeting can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2025, September 23, 2025, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2025/puc09232025.mp3.
Administration
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meeting Held on August 26, 2025 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)
Commissioner Nelson moved to approve the Minutes of the Commission Meetings Held on August 26, 2025. Motion carried 3-0.
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
The Commission received a total of 61 contacts since the last report was prepared for the September 9, 2025, Commission meeting.
Eight contacts were related to telecommunications services, 17 contacts were related to electric services, two contacts were related to natural gas services, five contacts were related to wireless services, four contacts were related to the Do Not Call Registry, one contact was related to wind energy, two contacts were referred to South Dakota One Call, and 22 contacts were related to issues not regulated by the PUC.
962 of the 980 contacts received in 2025 have been resolved.
Telecommunications
1. TC25-035 In the Matter of PUC Staff's Settlement Agreement with National Mortgage Home Loans LLC for Violations of SDCL § 49-31-108 (Staff Attorneys: Jennie Fuerst, Logan Schaefbauer)
Ms. Jennie Fuerst, staff attorney, requested the Commission approve the Settlement Stipulation and Agreement and assess a $5,000 fine, pursuant to the agreement between Staff and National Mortgage Home Loans LLC. National Mortgage Home Loans LLC was not present at the meeting.
Commissioner Fiegen moved to adopt the Settlement Stipulation and Agreement and impose a fine of $5,000 against National Home Loans LLC. Motion carried 3-0.
Electric
1. EL25-027 In the Matter of the Request for a Declaratory Ruling regarding Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC (Staff Analysts: Darren Kerney, Jon Thurber; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
A lengthy discussion took place for docket EL25-027. An audio recording can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2025, September 23, 2025, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2025/puc09232025.mp3.
Commissioner Nelson moved to issue a Declaratory Ruling, as requested by Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC, and that the Commission make a finding that the facility, as described in the Petition, is not subject to PUC siting authority.
Commissioner Fiegen moved a substitute motion to deny the Petition for Declaratory Ruling by Crowned Ridge Energy Storage I, LLC. Substitute motion carried 2-1. Commissioner Nelson dissenting.
There being no further business, at the hour of 10:17 a.m., the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.
/s/ Janeth A. Merriman .
Janeth A. Merriman
Administrative Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
September 23, 2025
