Bill dealing with electric service territories sent to House floor

PIERRE, S.D. (WNAX) – A long delayed and often debated bill dealing with electric service territories has now been amended and sent to the House floor.

SB66 originally would have allowed municipal electric companies to take over service from rural electric cooperatives when a city expanded and annexed new residents.

Representative Tom Brunner (brew-ner) of Nisland told the House Commerce and Energy Committee that the bill now sets up a study.

Brenda Forman, Executive Director of the South Dakota Association of Cooperatives, says they have agreed to the compromise.

Larry Nelson represents South Dakota Municipal Electrics and is also on board with the compromise.

The bill passed out of the committee with a do pass recommendation on a 7 to 2 vote.