BISMARCK – Consumer complaints against the three investor-owned electric companies in North Dakota were down slightly last year, the state’s Public Service Commission said Wednesday.
The PSC released its second annual report on public contacts since reinstating a consumer affairs portfolio in 2014.
A total of 639 consumer contacts were received last year, with 182 of those being complaints against companies regulated by the PSC.
Year-over-year complaints decreased from 33 to 27 for Montana-Dakota Utilities, from 58 to 51 for Xcel Energy and from 18 to 15 for Otter Tail Power. Complaints against CenturyLink increased from 72 to 89.
The 639 total contacts was down from 905 in 2014. However, PSC chairwoman Julie Fedorchak noted that 369 of the contacts in 2014 were petitions calling for increased crude oil conditioning, which didn’t fall under PSC jurisdiction.
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She said the PSC continues to see an increase in public input on cases under consideration, which she attributed in part to efforts to boost awareness, including improved public notices.
(BND)
