The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission talked about “farm tap” customers, and continued service from a major natural gas line at their meeting Tuesday.
Northern Natural Gas got easements from a number of landowners in the 1950s when they built their major line across the state. In return, those landowners were promised natural gas service. Now the retail arm of that, Northwestern Energy, wants to end the service.
Commission Chair, Kristie Fiegen, says the issue will probably end up in court….

Commissioner Chris Nelson says they have limited authority over Northern Natural Gas…..

Commissioner Gary Hanson says they need to protect those people who depend on that natural gas service…..

The commission, in 2011, passed rules that would let Northwestern Energy end their service at the end of this year.
About 200 landowners are served by the farm tap system.