South Dakota

State Profile
869,666
8
Utility Revenue (Millions) $175.2
$99.4
$56.2
$19.2
$0.4
Consumption (Billion Cubic Feet or BCF)

Consumption by Sector In-State

 25,196
74.6
12.1
10.8
45.5
6.1
Customers 213,303
187,789
24,922
592
Industry Infrastructure
n/a
n/a
7,266
Utility Gas Efficiency Program Funding $1,000.0
$1,000.0
n/a
n/a
n/a

Sources

AGA Survey and Statistics System; AGA-CEE Natural Gas Efficiency Programs Survey: Utility expenditures for gas efficiency programs exclude data that have not been released by participating companies at the state level; U.S. Energy Information Administration; and U.S. Department of Transportation.

Statewide Elected Officials Next Election: 2018
Kristi Noem (Rep.)Governor
Larry Rhoden (Rep.)Lieutenant Governor
Jason Ravnsborg (Rep.)Attorney General
Legislature Next Election: 2018Session Dates: 01/12/16-03/29/16
Senate
Term: 2 year
President Pro Tempore: Brock Greenfield
Senate Majority Leader: Kris Langer
Senate Minority Leader: Troy Heinert
Senate Member Breakdown
Democrats: 5
Republicans: 30
House of Representatives
Term: 2 year
Speaker of the House: Steve Haugaard
Speaker Pro Tempore of the House: Spencer Gosch
Majority Leader: Lee Qualm
Minority Leader: Jamie Smith
House of Representatives Member Breakdown
Democrats: 11
Republicans: 59
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Commissioners: Elected in statewide elections: 6 year termChairperson: Elected by fellow Commissioners: 1 year term
Current Commissioners:
Gary Hanson (R), CommissionerElected in 2003; current term ends in 2021
Chris Nelson (R), Chairman Appointed by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2011; elected in 2012; current term ends in 2020
Kristie Fiegen (R), Vice Chair Appointed by Governor Dennis Daugaard in 2011; elected in 2012; current term ends in 2019

In November 2005, Montana-Dakota Utilities (MDU) requested Commission approval to offer to its customers a portfolio of natural gas conservation programs in order to recognize the natural gas market conditions facing customers. The Company also requested approval of a Conservation Tracking Adjustment mechanism to recover the actual costs of the programs and the lost distribution revenues resulting from customer participation in these programs. The Commission approved Experimental Conservation Program Tracking Mechanism (Rate 90) on February 10, 2006 in Docket No. NG05-16 on an experimental basis for a period encompassing three heating seasons or a program expiration date of April 30, 2009. On March 2, 2009, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. (MDU) filed for approval with the Public Utilities Commission (Commission) to remove the experimental qualifier associated with its Gas Conservation Program. The Company proposed to continue the application of Rate 90 and expand its natural gas portfolio to include four additional gas conservation programs and remove the experimental nature of the current tariff through the implementation of a biennial review of the Company's portfolio of programs to be filed by June 1 of every other year. On April 1,2009, MDU amended its filing to update the conservation tracking adjustment surcharge and to request that if Commission Staff requires more time to evaluate MDU's new plan, that the existing plan be extended. Commission Staff recommend the existing program be extended until September 30, 2009, to allow time for further review of MDU's proposed changes. On November 5, 2009, The Commission approved MDU’s Gas Conservation Program on a permanent basis, which was effective as of November 1, 2009. On April 18, 2007, the Public Utilities Commission (Commission) received a filing by MidAmerican Energy Company (MidAmerican) for Commission consideration of an Energy Efficiency Plan (Plan). The Plan contained programs designed for MidAmerican's gas and electric customers in South Dakota, phased in over a three-year period. The Plan also included a phase-in of particular programs over a three-year period commencing in January2008, annual reporting to the Commission and a cost recovery mechanism. This plan was revised in February of 2009 and approved by the subsequently approved by the Commission.

A weather normalization mechanism is in place for Montana-Dakota Utilities.