South Dakota
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
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State Intelligence
Updated May 26, 2026Utility Landscape
Northwestern Energy (South Dakota Operations)
IOUWestern South Dakota, including Rapid City and surrounding Black Hills region
Northwestern Energy files periodic rate cases with the SDPUC reflecting capital investment in transmission and generation assets. The commission has scrutinized cost allocation between Montana and South Dakota jurisdictions in recent proceedings.
Black Hills Energy (Black Hills Power)
IOUWestern South Dakota electric service, including Rapid City metro and rural western counties
Black Hills Power has been active in infrastructure modernization filings and renewable portfolio expansion; the SDPUC approved rate adjustments tied to the Corriedale Wind project and associated transmission integration costs.
Otter Tail Power Company
IOUNortheastern South Dakota, portions of eastern rural counties bordering Minnesota and North Dakota
Otter Tail has pursued grid hardening and wind integration investments; the SDPUC has evaluated fuel cost recovery mechanisms and transmission rider filings in recent dockets.
East River Electric Power Cooperative
coopEastern South Dakota, serving as generation and transmission cooperative to member distribution coops
As a G&T cooperative, East River is subject to SDPUC oversight on wholesale rate pass-throughs; ongoing transition planning related to Basin Electric Power Cooperative's generation portfolio changes affects South Dakota member rates.
Sioux Falls (City of Sioux Falls Utilities)
muniMunicipal electric and water service within Sioux Falls city limits and near-service area
Sioux Falls operates largely outside traditional SDPUC electric rate jurisdiction but remains subject to commission oversight on certain interconnection and water utility matters; capital expansion driven by rapid municipal growth has prompted infrastructure investment reviews.
MidAmerican Energy (Iowa-SD Border Operations)
IOULimited southeastern South Dakota border territories, primarily Lincoln and Union counties
MidAmerican's South Dakota footprint is small but subject to SDPUC jurisdiction; the company's aggressive Iowa renewable buildout has prompted questions at the SDPUC regarding cost ring-fencing and jurisdictional allocation.
Key Issues
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Black Hills Energy rate case and renewable cost recovery: The SDPUC is evaluating Black Hills Power's capital cost recovery mechanisms tied to wind generation additions and grid modernization infrastructure, with intervenors challenging the rate of return on equity and depreciation schedules proposed by the utility.
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Basin Electric Power Cooperative coal plant transition impacts on South Dakota cooperative members: Basin Electric's accelerating retirement timeline for Leland Olds and other coal units is driving wholesale rate uncertainty for East River Electric and its South Dakota distribution co-op members, prompting SDPUC monitoring of pass-through rate effects.
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Carbon capture pipeline siting and eminent domain: The SDPUC's contested rulings on Summit Carbon Solutions and Navigator CO2 pipeline siting applications continue to face legal and legislative aftershocks, with unresolved questions about landowner rights, route modifications, and the commission's siting authority under state law.
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Rural broadband as a utility-adjacent issue: The SDPUC and South Dakota legislature are navigating the intersection of electric cooperative infrastructure and broadband deployment, including pole attachment rules, easement rights, and whether cooperative broadband subsidiaries trigger additional commission oversight.
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Transmission cost allocation and regional grid planning: South Dakota utilities' participation in MISO and SPP regional transmission planning processes has generated SDPUC proceedings on how multi-state transmission project costs are allocated to South Dakota ratepayers, particularly for long-range transmission projects in MISO's LRTP portfolio.
Upcoming
Estimated deadline for public comments in ongoing Black Hills Energy infrastructure rider docket; parties including the South Dakota Consumer Advocate expected to file responsive testimony on proposed capital additions and rate base treatment.
Estimated SDPUC open meeting for consideration of pending utility rate filings and possible order issuance in Otter Tail Power fuel cost recovery docket; commission agenda typically published 10 days in advance at puc.sd.gov.
Estimated evidentiary hearing or status conference related to CO2 pipeline siting proceedings, as Summit Carbon Solutions has indicated intent to refile or modify its South Dakota application following prior commission and judicial developments.
Estimated filing window for any utility annual report submissions and potential initiation of rate proceedings tied to fiscal year capital investment cycles; Black Hills Energy and Northwestern Energy historically align general rate case filings with fourth-quarter commission calendars.
Commissioner Watch
View all ↗Chris Nelson serves as Chairman of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and previously served as South Dakota Secretary of State, bringing a background in public administration to his regulatory role.
Kristie Fiegen has served on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission since approximately 2015, making her one of the longer-tenured commissioners on the body.
Gary W. Hanson is a long-serving member of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, having joined the commission in the mid-2000s and built an extensive record in utility and energy regulation.
Staff
19| Name | Title | Phone |
|---|---|---|
| Deb Gregg | Consumer Affairs Manager | (605) 773-3201 |
| Cindy Kemnitz | Deputy Executive Director & Finance Manager | (605) 773-3201 |
| Leah Mohr | Executive Director | (605) 773-3201 |
| Greg Rislov | Commission Advisor | (605) 773-3201 |
| Mary Zanter | Pipeline Safety Program Manager and Utility Analyst | (605) 773-3201 |
| Vicky Burns | Consumer Affairs Representative | (605) 773-3934 |
| Kristen Edwards | Commission Attorney | (605) 773-3201 |
| Jennie Fuerst | Staff Attorney | (605) 773-3201 |
| Travis Heasley | Operations Specialist | (605) 773-3201 |
| Boice Hillmer | Pipeline Safety Inspector | (605) 773-3201 |
| Darren Kearney | Utility Analyst | (605) 773-3201 |
| Brittany Mehlhaff | Utility Analyst | (605) 773-3201 |
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