One of the more controversial issues of the 2019 South Dakota legislative session will be in front of an interim committee this week.
The “Electric Service in an Annexed Area” committee will try to find a middle ground between municipal utilities and rural electric cooperatives.
Chris Studer, Member and Public Relations Officer for East River Electric Power Cooperatives, says it’s a basic question….

Studer says they think legislators will see the problem…

Studer says they will work with legislators on finding a solution….

Heartland CEO Russell Olson says the municipal electrics have given in over the years and repeatedly compensated the rural electrics for municipal territory expansion. He says if the rural electrics get their way a line would be drawn around the cities which will stymie economic growth:

Saying that it’s all about consumer choice, Olson says the coalition partners are locking their arms and holding the line this time:

Olson says the Coalition to Preserve Consumer Choice is working to protect the rights of consumers who choose to be served by the local utility where they can have an active role in how the utility is run. The group was created to advocate on behalf of the 35 locally owned, locally operated municipal electric utilities in the state.

The first meeting will be Thursday in Pierre, with a review of statutory history, an update from the Public Utilities Commission and input from municipal electrics and rural co-ops.