Bismarck residents and North Dakotans in Burleigh and Morton counties will be impacted by the outcomes of the Public Service Commission (PSC) election, as challenger Scot Kelsh and incumbent Jill Kringstad recently debated key issues ranging from landowner rights to utility rates and the economic effects of data centers. The candidates for a two-year term on the three-person commission participated in a Plain Talk Podcast debate on Thursday, hosted by Rob Port and Chad Oban.
Democrat Scot Kelsh, a former Fargo firefighter and state lawmaker, stated that North Dakotans feel unheard by state regulators. He contended that developers of projects like power lines and pipelines are "running roughshod" over landowners. Kelsh argued for an advocate on the PSC to champion public policy changes that would improve conditions for landowners.
Republican Jill Kringstad, who was appointed by Gov. Kelly Armstrong in January 2025 to fill the seat previously held by U.S. Rep. Julie Fedorchak—who resigned upon her election to Congress in 2024—defended the agency’s processes. Kringstad highlighted a change in state law she advocated for to improve public input. This change allows the PSC to hold a technical hearing with a developer first, followed by the commission going into communities to gather public testimony. She explained this process helps eliminate long waits for the public. Kringstad said she helped draft the bill while on staff and later championed it through the Legislature. She further stated that the PSC must treat all parties fairly and follow the law, noting that projects from aggressive developers who disrespect landowners would face greater difficulty, as they should. While agreeing with the sentiment of advocacy for landowners, she underscored the commission's obligation to fairness and legal adherence.
The candidates also addressed utility rates. Kringstad described herself as "uniquely qualified" for the commission due to her background in accounting and economics and her time on the PSC staff, which she said enables her to thoroughly examine cases. She cited the PSC's review of an Xcel Energy rate increase request, where the company sought over a 19% increase, but the commission approved approximately a 10% increase, which was the first increase in four years. Kelsh acknowledged that North Dakota’s electricity rates are low compared to other states but attributed some increases to "bad decisions" by utilities. He cautioned that utility rates must not be allowed to escalate beyond control. The PSC regulates investor-owned utilities, but not electric cooperatives, which are common across North Dakota.
Both Kringstad and Kelsh agreed that power providers should not be allowed to transfer costs associated with large-load customers, such as data centers, to residential and other existing customers. Although the PSC does not regulate data centers directly, it does have authority over the siting of affiliated energy infrastructure, including power generation and lines.
Kringstad referenced $38 million in credits returned to Montana-Dakota Utilities customers as a result of the Applied Digital data center complex development in Ellendale. She expressed a desire for greater transparency, making these benefits clearer on utility bills. Kelsh, a native of Ellendale, observed local benefits from the data center buildout, such as increased school enrollment and funds for street repaving. However, he voiced concern over power availability for new and proposed data centers, stating that the state's grid and generation capacity are not yet sufficient and will not be for years.
This year’s election includes two of the three Public Service Commission seats. In addition to the race between Kelsh and Kringstad, Republican incumbent Sheri Haugen-Hoffart is seeking another full six-year term and is being challenged by Democrat Jon Pederson, a professor at Mayville State University.
