An interim legislative committee waded into the stand off over service territories between rural electric co-ops and municipal electrics in South Dakota.
The “Electric Services in an Annexed Area” committee met yesterday Thursday in Pierre.

The dispute is over municipal electrics expanding with annexations into rural electric service areas.

Steve Lehner, General Manager of Watertown Municipal Utilities, says they only deal with voluntary annexations…

Tim McCarthy, General Manager of Sioux Valley Energy, based in Colman, says they have lost significant service areas and revenues….

Committee Chairman, Senator Alan Solano of Rapid City says they need to focus on the main issue…

Solano says they will plan to meet again in late August.