4 Broadcaster Press July 3, 2018 www.broadcasteronline.com Celebrating Our Independence By Sen. Mike Rounds Every year on the 4th of July, Americans join together to celebrate our independence. At that time in 1776, delegates from the 13 colonies signed the Declaration of Independence, breaking free from British rule and forming a new republic. In South Dakota, every town has their own celebration to mark this historic day. In Fort Pierre, where Jean and I live, there is a parade in the morning and a rodeo at night, followed by a spectacular fireworks show over the Missouri River. Across the state, South Dakotans will be enjoying the day with family and friends. Our family’s tradition is to camp and boat at Okobojo Point on Lake Oahe over the 4th of July holiday. This year, we get to introduce our fun tradition to our two new grandsons, Maverick and Cohen! While the 4th of July is a time of joy and celebration, it also provides a good opportunity to honor the countless men and women who have sacrificed so much to protect our independence over the past 242 years. Many have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of our liberties. We are forever grateful to those who wear the uniform of the United States of America, as well as to their families. The security of our nation is necessary to protect the rights and freedoms we enjoy as Americans. A strong national defense is one of the most fundamental roles of government. As a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, one of my top priorities is to make sure our military has the best, most up-to-date equipment available so they can successfully defend against attacks from our enemies. And as a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I am working to improve the quality of life for all who have served. I have been working to ease the transition for veterans 14 Afterschool Programs Funded Through Grant as they leave active-duty service. This includes making changes at the VA to prioritize mental health care for veterans battling PTSD, as well as making sure they know all the benefits available to them in terms of education and career opportunities. Our veterans are some of the brightest, most talented individuals and our workforce will benefit greatly from the skills and knowledge they bring to the workplace. As we light off fireworks, spend time with family and friends and enjoy all that our great country has to offer, I encourage South Dakotans to thank the veterans and military members in their lives. We would not be able to celebrate our independence if not for the sacrifices they have made. Jean and I, along with our entire family, wish all South Dakotans a safe, happy Independence Day! PIERRE, S.D. – A total of 14 21st Century Community Learning Center grants have been awarded to provide funding for academic enrichment opportunities for students. This year’s grant recipients join 24 existing grant recipients to serve a combined total of 54 sites statewide. Grants range from $50,000 to $150,000 a year. These grants support out of school time activities. School districts, along with community-based organizations and faith-based organizations, are eligible to apply. Projects are funded for a period of five years based upon successful implementation and annual reviews. A total of 29 organizations applied for funding this year. This year’s recipients include: • Action for the Betterment of the Community – Sturgis Area After School Program • Black Hills Special Services Cooperative • Belle Fourche 21st Century Community Learning Center Program, elementary and high school • Belle Fourche Middle School Jam • Discover the Valley – Rapid Valley/Valley View Elemen tary Schools, Rapid City • Boys & Girls Club – Watertown • Boys & Girls Club of the Missouri River Area (Wagner) • Dupree School District • Henry School District •Huron School District • Lutheran Social Services (Sioux Falls) • Mitchell School District • Volunteers of America – Dakotas (Sioux Falls) – Kid’s Campus Program • Washington Pavilion (Sioux Falls) – Action Arts & Science Program • YMCA of Rapid City – Youth Institute The 21st Century Community Learning Centers provide a range of high quality services that support student learning and development. Academic enrichment, tutoring, mentoring, homework help, music, arts, sports and distinct interests is indeed admirable cultural activities are key components of the grants. The and I appreciate that we finally have learning centers also offer literacy and other educational a resolution,” he concluded. services to families of participating children. The participation of Ringneck “21st Century Community Learning Center grant Energy as a new, future customer of recipients play a vital role in their communities,” said SDIP brought a unique set of circum- Jill Cotton, who oversees the 21st Century Community stances to the case. The settlement Learning Center program in South Dakota. “These proagreement considered that once grams provide engaging, meaningful activities and opporRingneck Energy is operational some tunities for students so that learning and enrichment can costs that would have been borne continue even after the regular school day is done.” solely by Montana-Dakota will be The program is authorized under Title IV, Part B, of shared by Ringneck Energy thereby the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. decreasing costs to Montana-Dakota’s customers. “The settlement agreement contains some excellent solutions,” stated PUC Commissioner Chris Nelson. “I appreciate that this was resolved so the Ringneck Energy plant can get up and running in a timely manner.” BROOKINGS, S.D. – After the resignation earlier this The SDIP rate docket can be viewed on the PUC's website at www. month of their presiding officer, members of the South Dakota Board of Regents reorganized Wednesday to elect puc.sd.gov, Commission Actions, new officers. Natural Gas Dockets, 2017 NatuRegents chose Kevin Schieffer of Sioux Falls to assume ral Gas Dockets, NG17-009 - In the the presidency, which was vacated when Bob Sutton re3x1 Matter of the Application of South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline Company signed June 4 after Sutton was named president and CEO for Authority to Increase Its Natural of Avera Health. Schieffer, a member of the Board of Regents since Gas Rates. 2013, had been serving as the board’s vice president. Regents also elected John Bastian of Belle Fourche as vice president and Jim Morgan of Brookings as the board’s secretary. Schieffer holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of South Dakota and is a graduate of Georgetown University School of Law, where he also served as an adjunct law professor. He is a business consultant and retired in 2008 after 12 years as chief executive officer of Cedar American Rail Holdings Inc., the largest regional railroad system in the U.S. He formerly served as United States attorney for South Dakota and as a chief of staff to former U.S. Sen. Larry Pressler (R-S.D.). South Dakota PUC Approves Rate Reduction For South Dakota Intrastate Pipeline PIERRE, S.D. – The South Daprovision whereby SDIP agreed to a kota Public Utilities Commission three-year rate case moratorium. this week approved a reduction of SDIP is an intrastate pipeline rates charged by the South Dakota company that currently delivers Intrastate Pipeline Co. The rate natural gas from the Northern change was presented in a settleBorder Pipeline to one customer: ment agreement offered by SDIP, PUC Montana-Dakota in central South staff, Montana-Dakota Utilities Co. Dakota. Montana-Dakota is the local and Ringneck Energy & Feed LLC and distribution natural gas company accepted by the PUC at its regular serving Pierre and other central meeting in Pierre on June 26. South Dakota customers. Ringneck SDIP filed a rate increase request Energy is scheduled to begin acceptwith the commission last summer, ing natural gas service from SDIP in asking for approval to increase November 2018 for its ethanol plant rates to generate approximately an currently under construction near additional $1.8 million in annual revOnida. enue, a nearly 81 percent increase in PUC Chairperson Kristie Fiegen revenue. SDIP reduced the request to lauded the efforts that resulted in a Broad additional rate reduction to benefit the ultimate approximately $250,000 in ca s tero line of the natural gas 2x1 annual revenue in November 2017, nusers .com delivered following extensive review of data by SDIP. “I am delighted that what and discussions with PUC staff and started out as a potential rate inMontana-Dakota. Ringneck Energy crease is effectively becoming a rate joined the case in March. The rate decrease,” she said. “I am appreciaapproved by the commission will tive of the PUC staff’s work to scrub reduce SDIP’s annual revenues by ap- through the numbers and work so proximately $279,000. The new rate, intently and diligently.” arrived at by negotiations among “Processing a rate request is no SDIP, PUC staff, Montana-Dakota and small undertaking,” PUC Vice ChairRingneck Energy, will go into effect man Gary Hanson said. “Processing a on Sept. 1, 2018. 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