Being an advocate for South Dakota is Kristie Fiegen’s goal as she takes on a six-year term on the Public Utilities Commission. Fiegen took the oath for her office Tuesday, which she says is to protect citizens to make sure laws are enforced. She says regulations from the federal government can put a stranglehold on some of South Dakota’s industries such as coal-fire plants and rates for utilities.
“You know, the public utilities actually is the federal administration, that is our biggest challenge. Because of that, we have rate increases. People think, a lot of times they’re confused because the Public Utilities Commission does not increase rates, a lot of it is from the regulation from the federal government. We try to keep them as low as possible, but still obey the law because all utilities have a right of the rate of return, or they’re allowed it any way, they’re not guaranteed a rate of return, they’re allowed a rate of return. We work very, very hard to make sure our rates can stay as low as possible, but they have to comply with federal regulations that are costly,” Fiegen says.
Fiegen says although the Public Utilities Commission doesn’t enact laws like the legislature, she’s looking forward to being a consumer advocate and ensuring companies aren’t engaging in illegal activity.