Welcome...
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.
High Resolution webstream (1280 X 720)
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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 is requesting a rate increase of approx. $5.9 million over current annual revenues, or a 5.4% overall increase.
- For an average residential customer, the increase would be about $2.98 per month or $35.78 annually.
- 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 request would increase the monthly charge from $19.60 to $22.58 per month for residential customers.
- The proposed increase for each customer group would be: Residential 5.9% and Firm General 5.5%. Increases are not proposed for other customer groups because MDU has determined they are adequately covering the cost to provide service under current prices.
- 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
- Seasonal Project Inspectors (AML Division) - Open Until Filled
What's Going On...
Commissioner Randy Christmann, Chairman (center)
Commissioner Julie Fedorchak (right)
Commissioner Brian Kroshus (left)
The PSC takes an active role in protecting consumers by ensuring utilities follow rules, including ones that relate to disconnection of service. Working with consumers to resolve disputes with utilities, and establishing fair rates and regulations. The PSC is constantly looking out for the interests of North Dakotans.
Latest News (To view archived news releases, please visit our Newsroom)
- 04/12/2018 PSC Approves Permit for Expansion of the Bear Creek Gas Plant
- 04/11/2018 North Dakotans Reminded to Call Before You Dig
- 03/29/2018 PSC Reschedules Public Hearing in Williston for Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline Conversion Project
- 03/27/2018 PSC Schedules Public Hearing in Watford City for Proposed Crude Oil Pipeline Conversion Project
- 03/20/2018 PSC Approves Permits for New Gas Plant and Pipeline Upgrade Project
- 03/14/2018 PSC Schedules Public Input Sessions for Proposed Otter Tail Electric Rate Increase
- 03/07/2018 PSC Schedules Public Hearing in Killdeer for Proposed Gas Processing Plant Expansion Project
- 03/05/2018 Public Hearing Scheduled for Tomorrow in Williston Postponed due to Winter Storm
- 02/20/2018 PSC Schedules Public Hearing in Williston for Proposed Natural Gas Pipeline Conversion Project
- 02/08/2018 PSC’s Railroad Safety Program Works to Improve Safety, Reliability of Rail System
- 02/01/2018 PSC Schedules Public Hearing in Watford City for Proposed Gas Processing Plant
- 01/31/2018 PSC Receives More Than 500 Consumer Contacts in 2017
Commission Events
State Capitol 12th Floor Hearing Room (unless otherwise noted)February 28, 2018 - 08:30 am CST
Formal Hearing Internet Broadcast
MDU, 2017 Natural Gas Service Rate Increase, App(PU-17-295)
Case No. PU-17-295

March 21, 2018 - 09:00 am CDT
Formal Hearing Internet Broadcast
Public Hearing - NSP, Ad. Prud. - 302.4 MW Dakota Range Wind, App(PU-17-372
Case No. PU-17-372

April 26, 2018 - 10:00 am CDT
Other (8.00KB pdf)
SPP/RTO Biannual Update
April 26, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Other (68.00KB pdf)
MISO Biannual Update
May 14, 2018 - 10:00 am CDT
Formal Hearing
Andeavor Field Services LLC, McKenzie, Billings, Stark, Siting App(PU-18-72
Case No. PU-18-72

Grassy Butte, ND
May 15, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
May 21, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Budget Update
May 21, 2018 - 02:30 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Director's Meeting
May 29, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
May 30, 2018 - 08:30 am CDT
Formal Hearing
Formal Hearing - MDU, 2017 Natural Gas Service Rate Increase, App(PU-17-295
Case No. PU-17-295

June 03, 2018 - 08:00 am CDT
Other
MARC 2018 Annual Meeting
Kansas City, MO
June 13, 2018 - 01:00 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
Informal Hearing - NSP, Electric Reliability Performance Bonus (PU-18-112)
Case No. PU-18-112

June 13, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
- CANCELLEDJune 18, 2018 - 12:00 pm CDT
Other Internet Broadcast
Quarterly Lignite Energy Council Meeting
1016 E Owens Ave #200
Bismarck, ND
June 26, 2018 - 01:00 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Budget Update
June 26, 2018 - 02:00 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Director's Meeting
June 27, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
July 10, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
July 11, 2018 - 09:00 am CDT
Formal Hearing Internet Broadcast
Formal Hearing - OTP, 2017 Electric Rate Increase, App. (PU-17-398)
Case No. PU-17-398

July 19, 2018 - 01:00 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Budget Update
July 19, 2018 - 02:00 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Director's Meeting
August 01, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
August 21, 2018 - 01:00 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Budget Update
August 21, 2018 - 02:00 pm CDT
Other
Monthly Director's Meeting
August 22, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
September 05, 2018 - 01:30 pm CDT
Informal Hearing Internet Broadcast
September 10, 2018 - 12:00 pm CDT
Other Internet Broadcast
Quarterly Lignite Energy Council Meeting
1016 E Owens Ave #200
Bismarck, ND
December 03, 2018 - 12:00 pm CST
Other Internet Broadcast
Quarterly Lignite Energy Council Meeting
1016 E Owens Ave #200
Bismarck, ND