PSC grants 61-day extension to Otter Tail Power for 2024 annual report; commissioners note recurring delays

The North Dakota Public Service Commission on June 4 granted Otter Tail Power Company a 61-day extension to file its 2024 electric annual report, citing the utility’s request that it needs additional time to review the 2024 North Dakota cost-of-service study.

Commissioner Haugenhofer moved to grant the extension and said she had pulled the item from consent to raise a pattern of late filings. She noted Otter Tail filed the 2021 annual report on June 2 (due May 1), filed the 2022 report on June 29 (no extension requested), and requested two extensions for the 2023 report. For 2024, the company requested a two-month extension by letter received May 20; the commission granted a 61-day extension at the June 4 meeting.

Commissioners said they would support the extension but urged Otter Tail to address the timeliness of future filings. In support of the extension, staff noted Otter Tail needs additional time to review the 2024 North Dakota cost-of-service study.

The commission approved the extension by voice vote. The commission’s review of annual reports provides accounting of company performance, including changes in revenues, expenses, customer usage and interruptions, and staff uses the report to prepare a memorandum and recommendations for the commission’s consideration.