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South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Meeting 
June 24, 2026, at 1:30 p.m. CDT
Room 413, Capitol Building
Pierre, South Dakota

MINUTES OF AD HOC COMMISSION MEETING

           Commissioner Chairman Chris Nelson called the meeting to order. Present were Commissioner Kristie Fiegen and Commissioner Gary Hanson; Commission Advisor Greg Rislov; Commission Attorney Kristen Edwards; Staff Attorneys Jennie Fuerst and Logan Schaefbauer; Staff Analysts Brittany Mehlhaff and Eric Paulson; and Administrative Staff Janeth Merriman.

           Also present were Jerrad Hammer, Marne Jones, Catherine Sabers, and Nick Wagner, Black Hills Corporation; Brian Bird, Pamela Bonrud, Jeffrey Decker, Sarah Norcott, Bleau LaFave, and Crystal Lail, NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc.; William Taylor, Taylor Law Firm, P.C. representing Laborers Local 620, the Great Plains Laborers District Council and the Laborers International Union of North America; Bob Mercer, Keloland; and Cheri Wittler, Precision Reporting.

           Joining the meeting by telephone were Michael Pogany and Kimberly Nooney, Black Hills Corporation; Shannon Heim and Brad Wenande, NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc.; Ryan Pfaff, Staff Consultant, and Frank Kloucek.

           An audio recording of the meeting can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2026, June 24, 2026, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2026/puc06242026.mp3.

Gas and Electric

1.        GE25-001      In the Matter of the Joint Application of NorthWestern Energy Public Service Corporation, Black Hills Corporation and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc., for Approval of Merger (Staff Analysts: Patrick Steffensen, Brittany Mehlhaff, Eric Paulson; Staff Attorneys: Jennie Fuerst, Logan Schaefbauer)

        A lengthy discussion took place for docket GE25-001. An audio recording can be found on the PUC website under Commission Actions, Commission Meeting Archives, 2026, June 24, 2026, recording located at: https://puc.sd.gov/commission/media/2026/puc06242026.mp3.

           Commissioner Nelson moved to grant the Joint Motion for Approval of Two Settlement Stipulations and Stipulation for the Entry of all Pre-Filed Testimony and Exhibits, and approve the Joint Application for Approval of Merger, subject to the terms and conditions stipulated to by the Settling Parties. Motion carried 3-0.

Public Comment

            Mr. Frank Kloucek made comments regarding the joint merger application between Black Hills Corporation and NorthWestern Energy Group, Inc.

           There being no further business, at the hour of 2:43 p.m., the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission meeting adjourned.

  /s/ Janeth A. Merriman                 .
Janeth A. Merriman
Administrative Specialist
puc@state.sd.us
June 24, 2026