Understanding the PUC: Protecting South Dakota
The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) plays a vital role in the lives of every South Dakotan. Learn about its functions, its impact, and how Frank Kloucek plans to strengthen its service to families, farmers, and rural communities.
What is the role of the PUC?
The South Dakota PUC is a board of three elected individuals, serving a six year term. Along with the help of analysts, attorneys, consumer representatives, and other professionals, the PUC carries out the following duties: Utility regulation, siting authority, advocacy, and other responsibilities. Keep reading to learn more.
Utility Regulation
The commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas and telephone utilities. The PUC ensures utility companies in South Dakota provide safe and reliable service and that investor-owned companies do so with just and reasonable rates. The commission has a limited regulatory role with respect to telecommunications companies and cooperative, independent and municipal utilities.
Siting Authority
The PUC has authority to issue permits for the construction of energy conversion, AC/DC conversion, wind energy, solar energy, and electric transmission facilities as well as certain pipelines, including those designed to transport coal, gas, liquid hydrocarbon products or carbon dioxide.
Other Responsibilities
The PUC helps resolve disputes between customers and their utilities. The commission operates the South Dakota Do Not Call Registry, natural gas pipeline safety program, and licenses and inspects public grain warehouses and grain buyers. The commission also advocates for communications and energy policy at the state and federal levels.
Source: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, informational brochure, March 2023.