Two Dickinson-area electric utilities have entered into a “service area agreement” – as to which will serve the growth areas around Dickinson.
The two are Montana-Dakota Utilities Company – an investor-owned utility – and Roughrider Electric Cooperative. Under the agreement – the two will divvy-up who serves what area where the city is expanding.
The Public Service Commission must approve the agreement. Commissioner Julie Fedorchak says the two should be commended for working out a deal.
"This is extremely valuable and important for the citizens in the Dickinson area, to be able to be served efficiently, to reduce duplication of infrastructure, and allow for efficient buildout of the infrastructure that we need," said Fedorchak.
The North Dakota Legislature passed the law to try and stop some of the “territorial integrity act” fights between the co-ops and the investor owned utilities. Commissioner Randy Christmann spent 18 years in the Legislature – and he says the TIA fights were often the hardest issues he faced.
"We've entered an era where the utilities are putting the customers first, and making decisions that emphasize making sure the customers have affordable and dependable electric power, instead of who can beat the other side in some kind of a battle," said Christmann.
The PSC has approved a number of these service area agreements all over North Dakota.
