TheSouth Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) is an elected, three-member entity that is responsible for regulating public utilities within the state, including electric, natural gas, telephone utilities, and grain storage warehouses.[4] It was first formed in 1885 as the Dakota Territory Board of Railroad Commissioners. Upon South Dakota's admission to the Union as a state in 1889, the state legislature continued the Board as theRailroad Commission,[5] and converted it to an elected office in 1893, with the first elections taking place in 1894. The legislature changed the name to thePublic Utilities Commission in 1940.[6] Since the Commission was established as an elected entity, Commissioners have been elected to staggered, six-year terms. In the event of a vacancy, the Governor makes an appointment to serve until a special election.[5]
Republicans have held a majority on the Commission since 2003, following the defeat of Democratic CommissionerPam Nelson in 2002.[7] The last Democrat to be elected to the Commission wasSteve Kolbeck, who was elected in 2006 and resigned in 2011.[8]
South Dakota statewide elected officials
