South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
General information
Office Type:	Partisan
Office website:	Official Link
Compensation:	$128,551
2025 FY Budget:	$5,046,947
Total Seats:	3
Term limits:	None
Structure
Length of term:	6 years
Authority:	South Dakota laws, Chapter 49-1-8
Selection Method:	Elected
Current Officeholder
Kristie Fiegen, Gary Hanson, Chris Nelson
Elections
Next election:	November 3, 2026
Last election:	November 5, 2024
Other South Dakota Executive Offices
Governor • Lieutenant Governor • Secretary of State • Attorney General • Treasurer • Auditor • Superintendent of Education • Agriculture Commissioner • Insurance Commissioner • Commissioner of School and Public Lands • Natural Resources Commissioner • Labor Commissioner • Public Service Commission

The South Dakota Chairman of Public Utilities is a three-person, elected executive board in the South Dakota state government. The commission regulates utility companies, helps to resolve disputes between customers and their utilities, operates safety programs, and licenses and inspects state public grain warehouses and grain buyers.

Current officeholder

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Office	Name	Party
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission	Kristie Fiegen	Republican
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission	Gary Hanson	Republican
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission	Chris Nelson	Republican

Authority

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission was established in Chapter 49 of the South Dakota laws.

Chapter 49-1-8:

Creation of Public Utilities Commission--Secretary--Seal. The Public Utilities Commissioners who are elected shall constitute a commission to be known and designated as the Public Utilities Commission of the State of South Dakota.

Qualifications

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that establishes the requirements necessary to qualify for a state executive office. That information for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Elections

South Dakota state government organizational chart

The three public service commissioners are elected to staggered, six-year terms.

2024

See also: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission election, 2024

General election

General election for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

Incumbent Kristie Fiegen defeated Forrest Wilson and Gideon Oakes in the general election for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on November 5, 2024.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristie Fiegen (R)	67.8	272,099
	Submit photo	Forrest Wilson (D)	26.9	108,029
		Gideon Oakes (L)	5.3	21,176

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 401,304
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2022

See also: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission election, 2022

General election

General election for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

Incumbent Chris Nelson defeated Jeff Barth in the general election for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Chris Nelson (R)	68.7	227,167
	Submit photo	Jeff Barth (D)	31.3	103,384

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 330,551
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2020

See also: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission election, 2020

General election candidates

• Gary Hanson  (Incumbent) (Republican Party) ✔
• Remi Bald Eagle  (Democratic Party) 
• Devin Saxon  (Libertarian Party)

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= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
 Democratic convention candidates

• Remi Bald Eagle ✔ 

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= candidate completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey
 Republican convention candidates

• Gary Hanson (Incumbent) ✔

Minor Party convention candidates

Libertarian Party

• Devin Saxon ✔

2018

See also: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission election, 2018

General election

General election for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission

Incumbent Kristie Fiegen defeated Wayne Frederick in the general election for South Dakota Public Utilities Commission on November 6, 2018.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Kristie Fiegen (R)	65.5	206,436
	Submit photo	Wayne Frederick (D)	34.5	108,925

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 315,361 (100.00% precincts reporting)
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
If you are a candidate and would like to tell readers and voters more about why they should vote for you, complete the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection Survey.
Do you want a spreadsheet of this type of data? Contact our sales team.

2016

See also: South Dakota Public Utilities Commission election, 2016

The general election for one seat on the Public Utilities Commission was held on November 8, 2016.

Incumbent Chris Nelson defeated Henry Red Cloud in the South Dakota public utilities commission election.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, 2016
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Chris Nelson Incumbent	75.38%	268,927
	Democratic	Henry Red Cloud	24.62%	87,841
Total Votes				356,768
Source: South Dakota Secretary of State

Full history

2014

See also: South Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2014

Republican incumbent Gary Hanson won re-election on November 4, 2014.

South Dakota Public Service Commissioner, 2014
Party		Candidate	Vote %	Votes
	Republican	Gary Hanson Incumbent	65.7%	167,726
	Democratic	David Allen	29.3%	74,824
	Constitution	Wayne Schmidt	5%	12,642
Total Votes				255,192
Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State

To view the electoral history dating back to for the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, click [show] to expand the section.

2012 See also: South Dakota down ballot state executive elections, 2012 Both of the incumbents who sought election in 2012 to the Public Utilities Commission were successful. Chris Nelson (R) defeated Nick Nemec (D), and Kristie Fiegen (R) overtook Matt McGovern (D) and Russel Clarke (L) to win the general election on November 6, 2012. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Seat 1 General Election, 2012 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Chris Nelson Incumbent 67% 226,508      Democratic Nick Nemec 33% 111,405 Total Votes 337,913 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State South Dakota Public Utilities Commission Seat 2 General Election, 2012 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Matt McGovern 40.4% 140,443      Republican Kristie Fiegen Incumbent 53.9% 187,383      Libertarian Russell Clarke 5.7% 19,696 Total Votes 347,522 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State 2010 On November 2, 2010, Dustin “Dusty” Johnson won re-election to the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. He defeated Doyle Karpen (D) in the general election. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, 2010 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Dustin “Dusty” Johnson Incumbent 73.2% 217,346      Democratic Doyle Karpen 26.8% 79,543 Total Votes 296,889 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. 2008 On November 4, 2008, Gary Hanson won re-election to the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. He defeated Matt McLarty (D) and Eugene R. Hidalgo (C) in the general election. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, 2008 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Gary Hanson Incumbent 64.9% 222,893      Democratic Matt McLarty 31.6% 108,477      Constitution Eugene R. Hidalgo 3.5% 12,064 Total Votes 343,434 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. 2006 On November 7, 2006, Steve Kolbeck won election to the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. He defeated John Koskan (R) and Ben Sutter (L) in the general election. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, 2006 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Democratic Steve Kolbeck 49.4% 148,036      Republican John Koskan 47.3% 141,856      Libertarian Ben Sutter 3.3% 9,953 Total Votes 299,845 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. 2004 On November 2, 2004, Dustin “Dusty” Johnson won election to the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. He defeated Jim Burg (D), Tony Ryan (L) and Steve Willis (C) in the general election. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, 2004 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Dustin “Dusty” Johnson 54.8% 196,974      Democratic Jim Burg 41.8% 150,303      Libertarian Tony Ryan 2% 7,326      Constitution Steve Willis 1.4% 5,094 Total Votes 359,697 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. 2002 On November 5, 2002, Gary Hanson won election to the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (6 year term). He defeated Pam Nelson (D) in the general election. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (6 year term), 2002 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Gary Hanson 56.7% 180,670      Democratic Pam Nelson Incumbent 43.3% 138,150 Total Votes 318,820 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State. On November 5, 2002, Robert Sahr won re-election to the office of South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (4 year term). He defeated Curt Johnson (D) in the general election. South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (4 year term), 2002 Party Candidate Vote % Votes      Republican Robert Sahr Incumbent 51.7% 160,889      Democratic Curt Johnson 48.3% 150,437 Total Votes 311,326 Election results via South Dakota Secretary of State.

Vacancies

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches the constitutional or statutory text that details the process of filling vacancies for a state executive office. That information for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research, we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

Duties

The Public Utilities Commission was established to carry out the following duties:

Utility Regulation The commission regulates investor-owned electric, natural gas and telephone utilities. The PUC ensures utility companies in South Dakota provide safe and reliable service and that investor-owned companies do so with just and reasonable rates. It plays a more limited regulatory role with respect to telecommunications companies and cooperative, independent and municipal utilities. Siting Authority The PUC has authority to issue permits for the construction of energy conversion, AC/DC conversion, wind energy, solar energy, and electric transmission facilities as well as certain pipelines, including those designed to transport coal, gas, liquid hydrocarbon products or carbon dioxide. Other Responsibilities The PUC helps resolve disputes between customers and their utilities and operates the South Dakota Do Not Call Registry. The commission also operates the natural gas pipeline safety program and licenses and inspects state public grain warehouses and grain buyers. Advocacy and Education The Commission advocates for smart telecommunications and energy policy at the state and federal levels and works hard to educate consumers about ways to save energy and money. The PUC acts as a resource to landowners, communities and developers for both renewable energy development and for the build-out of our state's wireless telecommunications networks.

Divisions

Note: Ballotpedia's state executive officials project researches state official websites for information that describes the divisions (if any exist) of a state executive office. That information for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission has not yet been added. After extensive research we were unable to identify any relevant information on state official websites. If you have any additional information about this office for inclusion on this section and/or page, please email us.

State budget

See also: South Dakota state budget and finances

The budget for the public utilities commission in Fiscal Year 2025 was $5,046,947.

Compensation

See also: Compensation of state executive officers

2023

In 2023, each commissioner received a salary of $128,551, according to the Council of State Governments.

2022

In 2022, each commissioner received a salary of $113,341, according to the Council of State Governments.

2021

In 2021, each commissioner received a salary of $110,684, according to the Council of State Governments.

2020

In 2020, each commissioner received a salary of $108,514, according to the Council of State Governments.

2019

In 2019, each commissioner received a salary of $104,611, according to the Council of State Governments.

2018

In 2018, each commissioner received a salary of $104,611, according to the Council of State Governments.

2017

In 2017, each commissioner received a salary of $104,611, according to the Council of State Governments.

2016

In 2016, each commissioner received a salary of $101,861, according to the Council of State Governments.

2015

In 2015, each commissioner received a salary of $99,864, according to the Council of State Governments.

2014

In 2014, each commissioner received a salary of $96,956, according to the Council of State Governments.

2013

In 2013, each commissioner was paid an estimated $94,132. This figure comes from the Council of State Governments.

2010

In 2010, each commissioner was paid an estimated $91,390, according to the Council of State Governments.

Historical officeholders

Public Utilities Commissioners

There have been 45 South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioners since 1890. Of the 45 officeholders, 26 were Republican, 11 were Democratic and three were Populist.

List of Former Officeholders from 1890-Present
#	Name	Tenure	Party
1	Harvey J. Rice	1890
2	John H. Kingz	1890 – 1892
3	Albion D. Chase	1890–1892
4	Charles E. McKenny	1892
5	Frank P. Phillips	1892
6	George A. Johnston	1895 – 1897	Republican
7	E.F. Conklin	1895 – 1897	Republican
8	J.R. Brennan	1895 – 1897	Republican
9	W.T. LaFollette	1897 – 1901	Populist
10	Alexander Kirkpatrick	1897 – 1903	Populist
11	William H. Tompkins	1897 – 1899	Populist
12	William G. Smith	1899 – 1917	Republican
13	Frank LaCocq Jr.	1901 – 1907	Republican
14	D.H. Smith	1903 – 1909	Republican
15	George Rice	1907 – 1913	Republican
16	F.C. Robinson	1909 – 1915	Republican
17	John J. Murphy	1913 – 1943	Republican
18	P.W. Dougherty	1915 – 1919b	Republican
19	Frank E. Wells	1917 – 1919c	Republican
20	John W. Raish	1919 – 1933	Republican
21	Dawes E. Brisbine	1919 – 1935	Republican
22	F.S. Pickert	1933 – 1939	Democratic
23	Windsor Doherty	1935	Democratic
24	Fred B. Ray	1936 – 1937	Democratic
25	C.L. (Roy) Doherty	1937 – 1971	Republican
26	C.A. (Chris) Merkle	1939 – 1969	Republican
27	Fred L. Lindekugel	1943 – 1967	Republican
28	Harvey Scharn	1967 – 1973	Republican
29	Winston Barness	1969 – 1975	Republican
30	Jack M. Weiland	1971 – 1977	Democratic
31	P.K. Ecker	1973 – 1979	Democratic
32	Norma Klinkel	1975 – 1981	Democratic
33	Charolette Fischer	1977 – 1983	Republican
34	Jeff Solem	1981 – 1987	Republican
35	Kenneth Stofferahn	1979 – 1997	Democratic
36	Dennis Eisnach	1983 – 1989	Democratic
37	Laska Schoenfelder	1989 – 2001e	Republican
38	Jim Burg	1987 – 2005	Democratic
39	Pam Nelson	1997 – 2003	Democratic
40	Robert Sahr	2001 – 2006	Republican
41	Gary Hanson	2003 –	Republican
42	Dustin “Dusty” Johnson	2005 – 2011	Republican
43	Steve Kolbeck	2006 – 2011	Democratic
44	Kristie Fiegen	2011 -	Republican
45	Chris Nelson	2011 -	Republican

Board of Railroad Commissioners

The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission was originally an appointed board called the South Dakota Board of Railroad Commissioners. There were eight such commmissioners between 1886 and 1889.

List of Former Officeholders from 1886-1889
#	Name	Tenure
1	William M. Evans	1886
2	W.H. McVay	1886
3	Alexander Griggs	1886 – 1888
4	Boynton	1887 – 1888
5	N.T. Smith	1887 – 1888
6	Judson LaMoure	1889
7	John H. King	1889
8	Harvey J. Rice	1889

Recent news

The link below is to the most recent stories in a Google news search for the terms South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. These results are automatically generated from Google. Ballotpedia does not curate or endorse these articles.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commission - Google News

Contact information

Public Utilities Commission
Capitol Building, 1st floor
500 E. Capitol Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501-5070

Phone Numbers
Routine Business: 605-773-3201
Warehouse Division: 605-773-5280
Consumer Affairs: 1-(800)-332-1782

Fax Numbers
PUC: 1-(866)-757-6031
Warehouse Division: 605-773-3225

See also

• Energy policy in South Dakota

External links

Suggest a link

• South Dakota Public Utilities Commission