The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission rejects multiple co-op groups from intervening in an electric docket.
Multiple energy companies are trying to throw their hat in the ring on who should supply Leola Data Center with electricity.
PUC commissioners chose to honor their staff’s recommendation of sticking with the original request from Montana Dakota Utilities.
“Staff submitted a response in which we support the intervention of Leola Data Center but oppose the interventions of FEM, East River, and Basin electric. With all due respect to these parties, the rules require that they have an interest that would be bound and affected by the outcome of this docket and there simply isn’t one,” said PUC staff attorney Logan Schaefbauer.
Kristie Fiegen is the Chairperson of the PUC. She said staff are looking out for rate payers.
“I do believe there is somebody that needs to look out in 028 and that’s for the rate payers. And so, I know staff will do their due diligence in making sure the voice of the rate payers is heard in the docket we have in front of us today,” said Fiegen.
All commissioners agreed with staff recommendation and denied intervention by other electric parties. The next PUC meeting is scheduled for October.
