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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting
March 10, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. CDT
Matthew Training Center, Foss Building
Pierre, South Dakota
MINUTES OF COMMISSION MEETING
Commission Chairman Chris Nelson called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Kristie Fiegen; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Commission Attorney Kristen Edwards; Staff Attorneys Jennie Fuerst, Amanda Reiss and Logan Schaefbauer; Staff Analysts Darren Kearney, Brittany Mehlhaff, Eric Paulson and Joseph Rezac; and Administrative Staff Joy Irving.
Also present were Lauren Donofrio, Jessica Fyhrie, Amber Grenier and Matt Olsen, Otter Tail Power Company.
Joining the meeting by telephone were Consumer Affairs Manager Deb Gregg; Pipeline Safety Manager Mary Zanter; Public Utilities Manager Patrick Steffensen; Jason Grenier, Otter Tail Power Company, Wes Ashton, Jason Keil, Douglas Law and Mark Lux, Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy; Basil Copeland and Ryan Pfaff, representing PUC staff.
An audio recording of the meeting can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2026, March 10, 2026, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2026/puc03102026.mp2.
Administration
1. Approval of the Minutes of the Commission Meetings Held on February 12 and 23, 2026 (Staff: Janeth Merriman)
Commissioner Fiegen moved to approve the Minutes of the Meetings Held on February 12 and 23, 2026. Motion carried 2-0.
Consumer Reports
1. Status Report on Consumer Utility Inquiries (Consumer Affairs: Deb Gregg)
The Commission received a total of 125 contacts since the last report was prepared for the February 23, 2026, Commission meeting.
Four contacts were related to telecommunications services, 94 contacts were related to electric services, four contacts were related to natural gas service, one contact was related to wireless service, three contacts were related to wind energy, six contacts were related to unwanted calls and the Do Not Call Registry, two contacts were referred to South Dakota One Call and 11 contacts were related to issues not regulated by the PUC.
286 of the 295 contacts received in 2026 have been resolved.
Electric
1. EL25-022 In the Matter of the Application of Otter Tail Power Company for Authority to Increase Its Electric Rates in South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen, Eric Paulson, Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Jennie Fuerst)
Ms. Lauren Donofrio, Senior Associate General Counsel for Otter Tail Power Company, and Ms. Jennie Fuerst, Staff Attorney, recommended the Commission grant the Parties’ Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation, which resolves all issues in this docket. A lengthy discussion took place for docket EL25-022. An audio recording can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2026, March 10, 2026, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2026/puc03102026.mp2.
Commissioner Fiegen moved to grant the Joint Motion for Approval of Settlement Stipulation, approve the rates, tariff sheets, terms and conditions stipulated therein and to approve Otter Tail’s Interim Rate Refund Plan. Motion carried 2-0.
2. EL26-003 In the Matter of the Application of Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy for Authority to Increase Rates For its Utility Service in South Dakota (Staff Analysts: Brittany Mehlhaff, Patrick Steffensen, Eric Paulson, Joseph Rezac; Staff Attorney: Amanda Reiss)
Ms. Amanda Reiss, staff attorney, recommended that the Commission suspend the imposition of the tariff for 180 days beyond February 19, 2026, and assess a filing fee for actual expenses related to the general rate case not to exceed $500,000 and give the Executive Director authority to enter into necessary consulting contracts. Mr. Jason Keil, Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy did not object.
Commissioner Nelson moved to suspend the imposition of the tariff for 180 days beyond February 19, 2026, assess a filing fee for actual expenses not to exceed $500,000, and authorize the Executive Director to enter into necessary consulting contracts. Motion carried 2-0.
Pipeline Safety
1. PS25-003 In the Matter of the PUC Staff’s Complaint Against
Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy (Pipeline Safety Staff: Mary Zanter, Boice Hilmer; Staff Analyst: Darren Kearney; Staff Attorneys: Jennie Fuerst, Logan Schaefbauer)
Ms. Jennie Fuerst, staff attorney, requested the Commission approve the Settlement Stipulation and Agreement. Mr. Douglas Law, Black Hills Power, Inc. dba Black Hills Energy, agreed with the request of staff.
A lengthy discussion took place for docket PS25-003. An audio recording can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2026, March 10, 2026, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2026/puc03102026.mp2.
Commissioner Fiegen moved to approve the Settlement Stipulation and Agreement. Motion carried 2-0.
There being no further business, at the hour of 2:47 p.m., the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.
/s/ Janeth A. Merriman .
Janeth A. Merriman
Administrative Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
February 23, 2026
