Welcome to the website of the Transmission Access Policy Study Group (“TAPS,” “we,” “our,” or “us”). These Terms of Service (“Terms”) govern your access to and use of our website located at https://www.tapsgroup.org (the “Website”).

By accessing or using this Website, you agree to be bound by these Terms. If you do not agree with these Terms, please do not use the Website.

1. Purpose of the Website

The TAPS Website is intended to provide information regarding the organization’s activities, publications, events, industry developments, and other resources related to electric transmission access policy.

The information provided on this Website is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed as legal, regulatory, engineering, financial, or professional advice.

2. Eligibility

You may use this Website only if you are able to enter into a legally binding agreement under applicable law.

By using the Website, you represent that you meet these requirements.

3. Acceptable Use

You agree to use the Website only for lawful purposes.

You agree that you will not:

  • Violate any applicable law or regulation.
  • Attempt to gain unauthorized access to the Website or its servers.
  • Introduce viruses, malware, or other harmful code.
  • Interfere with the operation or security of the Website.
  • Use automated systems to scrape or harvest Website content without prior written permission.
  • Attempt to disrupt other users’ access to the Website.
  • Misrepresent your identity or affiliation.

We reserve the right to restrict or terminate access for users who violate these Terms.

4. Intellectual Property

Unless otherwise noted, all Website content, including but not limited to:

  • Text
  • Graphics
  • Logos
  • Documents
  • Publications
  • Images
  • Website design
  • Software
  • Other materials

is owned by TAPS or its licensors and is protected under applicable copyright, trademark, and other intellectual property laws.

You may:

  • View Website content for personal or professional informational purposes.
  • Print or download materials made available for public use.

You may not:

  • Reproduce or redistribute Website content for commercial purposes without prior written permission.
  • Modify or create derivative works from Website materials without authorization.
  • Remove copyright or proprietary notices.

5. User Submissions

If you submit information through contact forms, email, surveys, or other communications, you represent that:

  • The information is accurate.
  • You have the right to provide the information.
  • Your submission does not violate any applicable law or the rights of another person.

Except where required by law or otherwise stated in our Privacy Policy, submissions may be retained and used to respond to inquiries and administer our operations.

6. Links to Third-Party Websites

The Website may contain links to external websites operated by third parties.

These links are provided solely for convenience. TAPS does not control, endorse, or assume responsibility for the content, products, services, or privacy practices of third-party websites.

Your use of third-party websites is subject to their own terms and policies.

7. Disclaimer of Warranties

The Website and all content are provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis.

To the fullest extent permitted by law, TAPS disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including but not limited to:

  • Merchantability
  • Fitness for a particular purpose
  • Non-infringement
  • Accuracy
  • Completeness
  • Availability
  • Reliability

We do not guarantee that:

  • The Website will always be available.
  • The Website will be free of errors.
  • The Website will be uninterrupted.
  • Files downloaded from the Website will be free from viruses or other harmful components.

8. Limitation of Liability

To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, TAPS shall not be liable for any indirect, incidental, consequential, special, exemplary, or punitive damages arising out of or relating to:

  • Your use of the Website;
  • Your inability to access the Website;
  • Errors or omissions in Website content;
  • Any third-party websites linked from the Website.

In no event shall TAPS’s total liability exceed the amount, if any, paid by you for use of the Website.

9. Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold harmless TAPS, its officers, directors, employees, volunteers, members, and representatives from any claims, damages, liabilities, costs, or expenses arising from:

  • Your violation of these Terms;
  • Your misuse of the Website;
  • Your violation of applicable law or the rights of another party.

10. Privacy

Your use of this Website is also governed by our Privacy Policy, which describes how we collect, use, and protect personal information.

11. Website Availability

We reserve the right to:

  • Modify or discontinue any part of the Website at any time.
  • Restrict access to portions of the Website.
  • Perform maintenance without prior notice.
  • Update content without obligation to maintain historical versions.

12. No Professional Advice

Information published on this Website reflects general industry information and organizational resources.

Nothing on this Website should be interpreted as legal, engineering, regulatory, financial, or other professional advice. Users should consult qualified professionals regarding specific situations.

13. Governing Law

These Terms shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of South Dakota, without regard to its conflict of law principles.

Any legal action arising from these Terms shall be brought in a court of competent jurisdiction located in South Dakota.

14. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is determined to be unenforceable, the remaining provisions shall remain in full force and effect.

15. Entire Agreement

These Terms, together with our Privacy Policy, constitute the entire agreement between you and TAPS regarding your use of the Website.

16. Changes to These Terms

We may update these Terms from time to time.

Any changes will become effective upon posting the revised Terms on this Website with an updated Effective Date. Your continued use of the Website after changes are posted constitutes your acceptance of the revised Terms.

17. Contact Information

Questions regarding these Terms may be directed to:

Transmission Access Policy Study Group (TAPS)

Website: https://www.tapsgroup.org

Email: [email protected]

Phone: (605) 376-2797