YANKTON, S.D. (WNAX) – A bill dealing with service territories between rural electric co-ops and municipal utilities was delayed several times during this year’s legislative session. With no compromise, lawmakers set up a summer study to look at the issue.

Chris Studer, Chief Member & Public Relations Officer for East River Electric says losing service areas and customers costs all their members.

Under current law, if a community with a municipal electric system annexes new territory, those residents become their customers.

Studer says the issue needs a better hearing.

Studer says there are economic impacts to communities if electric services change.

There are 35 communities with municipal electric utilities in the state.

A schedule and membership on the summer study committee has not yet been set.