N. Dakota SCT Rules in Favor of Tribal Jurisdiction in Utility Regulation Dispute

Here is the opinion in North Central Electrical Coop., Inc. v. North Dakota Public Service Commission.

An excerpt:

North Central Electric Cooperative appeals from a district court judgment affirming a Public Service Commission order dismissing North Central’s complaint against Otter Tail Power Company after the Commission decided it did not have regulatory authority over Otter Tail’s extension of electric service to a facility owned by the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians on tribal trust land within the Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation. North Central argues (1) the Commission’s decision is not in accordance with the law because the Commission has jurisdiction under North Dakota law and (2) the Commission’s findings are not supported by a preponderance of the evidence and do not sufficiently address North Central’s evidence. We affirm, concluding the Commission did not err in deciding it lacked authority to regulate the Tribe’s decision to have Otter Tail provide electric service to a tribal-owned facility on tribal-owned land within the reservation.

Briefs are here:

North Central Opening Brief

Turtle Mountain Brief

North Central Reply

N. Dakota SCT Briefs in State Utility Jurisdiction Case Involving Turtle Mountain

Here are the briefs in North Dakota Electric Cooperative Inc. v. North Dakota Public Service Commission:

North Central Elec Coop Brief

N.D. Public Service Commission Brief

Otter Tail Power Co Brief

Turtle Mountain Brief