About the PUC | previous page

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

South Dakotans elect their three Public Utilities Commissioners to staggered, six-year terms. A dedicated staff of analysts, attorneys, consumer representatives and other professionals work with the Commissioners to carry out the duties of the PUC. The PUC’s Web site, www.puc.sd.gov, contains a wealth of information including audio Web casts and recordings of meetings and hearings.

Utility Regulation
The PUC ensures utility companies in South Dakota provide safe, reliable service at fair and reasonable rates. The Commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas and telephone utilities. It plays a more limited regulatory role with respect to wireless communication companies and cooperative, independent and municipal utilities.

Other Responsibilities
The PUC helps resolve disputes between customers and their utilities, operates the South Dakota Do Not Call Registry and administers the state’s One Call notification center (call before you dig). The Commission also operates the natural gas pipeline safety program and licenses and inspects state public storage, state public grain warehouses, and grain dealers.

Advocacy and Education
The Commission advocates for smart energy and telecommunications policy at the state and federal levels and works hard to educate consumers about ways to save energy and money (www.SDEnergySmart.com). The PUC acts as a resource to landowners, communities and developers for both renewable energy development (www.SDWind.com) and for the build-out of our state’s wireless telecommunications networks.