Commissioners

Brian Kroshus

Julie Fedorchak

Randy

Christmann,
Chairman

Thank you for visiting the website of the North Dakota Public Service Commission. The Public Service Commission is a constitutional agency with varying degrees of statutory authority over abandoned mine lands, coal mine reclamation, electric and gas utilities, telecommunications companies, energy conversion facility siting, transmission facility siting, railroads, grain elevators, facility-based grain buyers, roving grain buyers, auctioneers, auction clerks, weighing and measuring devices, pipeline safety, and underground damage prevention.

To learn more about how the PSC affects the lives of North Dakotans every day, click here: A Day in Your Life

Watch/Listen to the Commission Live

The Commission typically meets in formal session every two weeks; special meetings are held to handle special or emergency situations. Click on a link below to watch or listen to a LIVE meeting.

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Looking for an agenda? A calendar of events and agendas can be found by scrolling to the bottom of this page.

Miss a Meeting?

• Listen to archived PSC Commission Meetings and Informal Hearings.
• Looking for minutes from a PSC Commission Meeting? Click here for archived meeting minutes.
• Audio and other materials relating to a formal hearing/formal case can be found by visiting Case Search.

Hot Topics - Quick Links

MDU Natural Gas Rate Increase Request (PU-17-295)

Quick Facts and helpful links:

• MDU is requesting an increase in its North Dakota natural gas service prices. Capital investment in pipeline replacement projects enhancing the safety and integrity of the natural gas system, as well as increased cost to operate and maintain the system, are the main drivers for the increase request.
• MDU was originally requesting a rate increase of approx. $5.9 million over current annual revenues, or a 5.4% overall increase.
• Due to effects of the change in tax rates, the current request from MDU is for $3.6 million over current annual revenues, or a 3.3% increase.
• MDU is proposing to collect the increase through the monthly basic service charge for residential customers, rather than through the amount of gas used. The fixed cost would increase by $1.82 for residential customers, bringing the monthly fixed cost to $21.42. Residential customers would see a increase of 5.9%.
• The company is also requesting the implementation of a cost recovery mechanism to the pipeline replacement plan, which allows the company to address aging infrastructure. The cost recovery mechanism would be reviewed annually by the PSC to ensure costs are prudent.
• MDU's last natural gas rate increase of 2% was approved in 2015. It was an increase of $2 a month for the average residential customer.
• Public input can be submitted via via e-mail to ndpsc@nd.gov or by mail to NDPSC, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 408, Bismarck, ND 58505.
• The formal technical hearing for the case (originally scheduled for Feb. 28th), has been rescheduled for May 30 at 8:30 a.m. in the Commission's Hearing Room, 12th Floor of the State Capitol in Bismarck.
• Click here for all docketed materials for the case (PU-17-295)

Otter Tail Electric Rate Increase Request (PU-17-398)

Quick Facts and helpful links:

• Otter Tail is requesting an increase in its North Dakota electric service prices. Part of the company's request was driven by its investments in required environmental technologies at its coal-fired Big Stone Plant and improved transmission infrastructure. The company's current rates were established in 2009.
• Otter Tail originally requested a rate increase of approx. $13.1 million over current annual revenues, or a 8.7% increase. That request was revised in March 2018 to $7.1 million or a 4.8% increase. If approved, the typical residential customer would see an increase of approximately $7.19 a month, a typical farm an increase of $16.53 a month and a typical business customer's bill would increase by approx. $13.74 a month. The increase would be more for some and less for others, depending on the rates on which they're served and the amount of energy they use.
• An interim rate increase was approved effective Jan. 1, 2018, and then adjusted in Feb. to reduce the rates due to the changes in tax rates. It will remain in effect until the PSC makes a final deterimination about the final rates. If the final rates are lower than the interim rates, the company will be required to refund customers the difference with interest.
• Public input can also be submitted via e-mail to ndpsc@nd.gov or by mail to NDPSC, 600 E. Boulevard Ave., Dept. 408, Bismarck, ND 58505.
• Click here for all docketed materials for the case (PU-17-398)

Other cases/Links

• ONEOK Cherry Creek Pipeline Conversion Project (PU-17-483)
• ONEOK Bear Creek Gas Plant Expansion Project (PU-18-21)
• Keene oil Gathering System Conversion Project (PU-18-24)
• Andeavor NGL Pipelines Project (PU-18-72)

Employment Opportunities

• There are currently no positions open for applications