Monthly Archives: December 2017

While the nation’s eyes are on federal tax reform, South Dakota’s Public Utilities Commission is eyeing the effect the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will have on consumers of regulated electric and natural gas utilities.

Regulated utilities pass the costs of federal income taxes through to ratepayers. The revised federal tax proposal, which includes changes to corporate income tax, is anticipated to take effect Jan. 1, 2018. PUC Chairperson Kristie Fiegen this week requested the PUC staff begin evaluating how each of the state’s six investor-owned electric and natural gas utilities will reflect those tax changes in the rates paid by utility customers.

“Consumer protection is among the PUC’s top priorities,” Fiegen said. “If companies will experience a reduction in taxes, the expectation is those savings should flow to consumers.”

Fiegen expects that analyzing the effect the tax plan will have on each regulated utility will be a complex and time-consuming process. “Once the details of the tax reform are made clear, the PUC will move with all haste to ensure ratepayers will be paying no more than what they should,” she stated.

Action by the PUC regarding utility rates will be conducted through official, docketed processes. The docket related to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act can be viewed on the PUC’s website at www.puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, Commission Dockets, Gas & Electric Dockets, 2017 Gas & Electric Dockets, GE17-003 – In the Matter of Staff’s Request to Investigate the Effects of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act on South Dakota Utilities.

December is National Drunk and Drugged Driving month. Remember to use a designated driver to get home safely. If you are under 21 years of age, do not drink alcoholic beverages. Possessing and/or consuming an illegal drug in South Dakota is illegal. If you are legally taking prescription medication, read the safety label. Side effects of prescription medication can often impair an individual. Driving a motor vehicle while impaired is illegal in South Dakota.

Christmas is just around the corner and that means an increase in holiday traffic. It is easy to get distracted thinking about the errands you have to run, which gifts to buy, and holiday travel plans. Your safety is the South Dakota Highway Patrol’s top priority as well as my priority. I ask that you focus on the priorities at hand. If you are driving, then pay attention to the road. Weather changes, reduced daylight hours, snow, freezing rain, blizzards, and animals coming onto the roadway are things to be aware of. Try to refrain from using your cell phone while you are driving. Driving with snow or frost covering your windows is a violation of the law. Take the time to clear all of your vehicle’s windows of the morning frost for optimal visibility.

Take the time to think about and plan for the upcoming holidays. For those of you traveling over the holidays, take a moment to check the weather forecast before departing on a trip. Be prepared for roadside emergencies such as a fully inflated spare tire and tire changing tools, food, water, warm clothes, and a blanket. Remember to bring your cell phone and charger. You do not want to be a stranded motorist without the proper equipment. Use equipment such as seatbelts and child safety seats properly. Ensure you and your family arrives at your destination safely.

I wish everyone a safe and Merry Christmas. Take the time to enjoy life, family, and friends. Be Smart. Be Safe. Stay Alive.

Trooper Justin Schmiedt
South Dakota Highway Patrol

Gov. Dennis Daugaard has given approval for the establishment of a public safety broadband network that will provide South Dakota’s first responders with advanced communication technologies. The new wireless broadband network will be built, operated and maintained by FirstNet using AT&T’s existing infrastructure as a foundation.

“We deal with our fair share of severe weather and natural disasters in South Dakota. Our first responders need to have access to communication technologies that work whenever and wherever needed,” Gov. Daugaard said. “FirstNet will create a single, interoperable system across our state to aid first responders in protecting citizens.”

FirstNet was established by Congress in 2012. The decision on opting in is left to each governor and states participate at no cost.

Local entities will be able to choose whether or not to subscribe to the services. AT&T has yet to announce specific rates for those wanting to participate, but says that they will establish a highly competitive pricing structure for public safety entities.

1 England didn’t adopt January 1 as New Year’s Day until 1752, more than 150 years after Scotland. Before that the year began on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation.

2 The first French Republic changed its calendar in 1793, fixing New Year at the autumnal equinox. Thirteen years later, Napoleon reinstated the Gregorian calendar now in general use.

3 Over a quarter of the globe’s population celebrate the Chinese or lunar new year. The Year of the Rabbit will begin on February 16. This is a time to repay debts, make sacrifices to gods, and distribute ‘lucky money’.

4 The ancient Egyptians, Chinese and Romans all celebrated New Year on different days. Even within western Christianity, the day has drifted, with Christmas Day, Easter Day and March 1 and 25 all popular. Because the festival was linked to the pagan event of Saturnalia, early Christians called for the New Year to be marked by prayer, fasting and ‘humiliation’.

5 The most emotional New Year’s Eve party is at the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, where hundreds of thousands toast the reunification of Germany.

6 In Papua New Guinea, villagers mark the New Year by banging drums and burning bamboo sticks.

7 In Islamic countries, including Iran and Saudi Arabia, partying will be subdued during Ramadan. Israel, meanwhile, observes the western New Year, but there is a Jewish New Year in September.

8 India, which is 82 per cent Hindu, opts for the international New Year on January 1. Tamil, Sikh and Punjabi New Years are independent celebrations on different dates. And Nepal will celebrate between April 17 and 18.

9Thailand will hold unofficial celebrations on January 1. The ‘formal’ celebrations in April feature a national water fight.

10 Ethiopia won’t celebrate New Year until September 11. The country has stuck to the old Julian calendar, which fails to reflect the true length of the year.