Christmann remains chair of North Dakota Public Service Commission

(Jeff Beach – North Dakota Monitor) – The North Dakota Public Service Commission broke from tradition Wednesday with Commissioner Randy Christmann remaining as chair.

The PSC has traditionally rotated who serves as chair among the three people on the commission.

With Commissioner Sheri Haugen-Hoffart not yet having served as chair, PSC tradition would have held that she was in line to be the next chair for 2025.

But Christmann started the meeting by nominating himself to continue as chair, saying that there is value to experience.

“I felt this was just sort of a habit at the commission that was not in the best interest of the commission,” he said.

Christmann was first elected in 2012 and reelected in 2018 and 2024.

Haugen-Hoffert was appointed to the PSC in February 2022 by Gov. Doug Burgum and was elected in 2022.

Haugen-Hoffert said she was in favor of the traditional chair rotation.

“I was hoping that this trusted process would continue to honor the will of the voters,” Haugen-Hoffert said.

But Haugen-Hoffert voted for Christmann as chair, saying she wanted to support her fellow commissioners. Newly-appointed Commissioner Jill Kringstad and Christmann made the vote unanimous.

Christmann said the tradition of rotating the chairmanship goes back about 20 years.

In other action, the commission approved an interim utility rate increase for Northern State Power, part of Xcel Energy.

Commissioners approved an interim rate increase of $11.36 per month. NSP had requested an increase of $22.34 per month.

The interim rate will take effect Feb. 1 and remains in effect until the rate case is finalized.