Energy Incentive Programs, South Dakota
Updated October 2008
Below you will find questions and answers regarding South Dakota's utility energy efficiency programs, including options for load management, demand response, and distributed energy resources, and information about state-sponsored energy efficiency programs.
What public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs are available in my state?
South Dakota has no public-purpose-funded energy efficiency programs.
What utility energy efficiency programs are available to me?
Black Hills Power offers rebates for the installation of high-efficiency air-, water-, and ground-source heat pumps, as well as electric water heaters.
Otter Tail Power Company offers small rebates for a limited range of electric equipment, including cooking appliances, water heaters, and certain thermal storage heating equipment.
What load management/demand response options are available to me?
Xcel Energy offers two demand response programs that may be of interest to federal customers:
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Xcel's Electric Rate Savings programs are for customers willing to curtail load (by as little as 50 kW) at Xcel's request. The June-September discount ranges from $5.29-$7.23 per kW of controllable load, and the October-May discount is $1.95-$3.89 per kW. The ranges relate to the number of hours the customer is willing to be curtailed.
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The Saver's Switch program permits Xcel to adjust customers' air conditioners so that they cycle off and on at 15- to 20-minute intervals. Customers are credited with a monthly discount of $5 per ton of enrolled air conditioning from June through September.
Otter Tail Power Company offers the following demand response programs:
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The Released Energy Access Program pays large customers (500 kW minimum peak load) for load curtailments. When Otter Tail expects high prices, it will alert program participants by e-mail of the price offered for curtailed energy. Customers who wish to accept the offer reply by making their commitment to curtail a specific amount of power at the required time.
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The Energy Control program offers rates about half the standard electricity rate to customers who allow Otter Tail Power to control specific equipment on their system during on-peak times. This only applies to customers who are signed up for special off-peak electricity prices.
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Water Heating Credits are available for customers that permit the utility to directly control their electric water heaters. A credit is awarded each month and units may be controlled up to 14 hours per day.
What distributed energy resource options are available to me?
The Database of State Incentives for Renewable Energy (DSIRE) provides information on programs that offer incentives for renewable distributed generation. South Dakota currently has no programs of this type available to federal customers.
Are there energy efficiency programs sponsored by the state government?
No state energy efficiency programs are currently available to federal customers. For information on future opportunities, contact the South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development.
What additional opportunities are available to me?
Federal customers also have energy efficiency opportunities available with utilities (such Montana-Dakota Utilities) that have area-wide contracts with GSA and, by extension, all other federal agencies. Federal facilities should contact their account executive to determine the level of participation by their local utility.
NOTE: Energy efficiency funds and demand response programs are updated at least annually. Please contact the FEMP webmaster if changes are needed between updates.