south_dakota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-baab3717883b6bb9.pdf

A coalition of organizations wrote to Governor Dennis Daugaard of South Dakota advocating for the use of energy efficiency as the most cost-effective strategy for complying with the Clean Power Plan. The letter argues that energy efficiency can reduce emissions, create local jobs, and lower utility bills for residents and businesses. It suggests expanding existing programs like the South Dakota Energy Smart initiative and adopting non-utility measures such as updated building energy codes and combined heat and power. According to the authors, implementing these policies could allow South Dakota to meet over 100 percent of its 2030 compliance goal, saving customers $239 million and avoiding 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions.

• Energy efficiency is presented as the most economical demand-side energy resource, being cheaper than renewables or electric and gas generation, and is the fastest and cheapest method to meet energy demand while improving air quality.
• The authors recommend that South Dakota expand existing programs, such as the South Dakota Energy Smart initiative and the loan program for energy-efficient investments, and opt into the Clean Energy Incentive Program (CEIP) to maximize cost-effective emissions reductions.
• Beyond utility-administered programs, the document identifies non-utility efficiency opportunities including combined heat and power, building energy codes with green building certification, residential retrofit financing, and energy savings performance contracts (ESPCs), noting that the U.S. ESPC market generates over $5 billion in annual investments.
• The implementation of specific energy-efficiency policies—including energy-savings targets, updated building codes, and combined heat and power—could enable South Dakota to exceed 100 percent of its 2030 Clean Power Plan compliance goal, potentially avoiding 1.8 million tons of carbon dioxide emissions and saving customers $239 million.

APA

Environmental and Energy Study Institute (2016). south_dakota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-baab3717883b6bb9.pdf. https://www.eesi.org/files/South_Dakota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf

Chicago

Environmental and Energy Study Institute. south_dakota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-baab3717883b6bb9.pdf. 2016. https://www.eesi.org/files/South_Dakota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite press release |author=Environmental and Energy Study Institute |title=south_dakota_cpp_letter_3.2.16-baab3717883b6bb9.pdf |date=2 March 2016 |url=https://www.eesi.org/files/South_Dakota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@misc{environmentalandenergystudyinstitute2016southdakotacppletter3216baab3717883b6bb9pdf, author = {{Environmental and Energy Study Institute}}, title = {{south\_dakota\_cpp\_letter\_3.2.16-baab3717883b6bb9.pdf}}, publisher = {Environmental and Energy Study Institute}, year = {2016}, month = mar, url = {https://www.eesi.org/files/South_Dakota_CPP_Letter_3.2.16.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }