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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007                                
CONTACT: Leah Mohr, communications manager, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201, (605) 280-4327 or leah.mohr@state.sd.us

PUC and energy providers launch South Dakota Energy Smart

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and the state's energy providers today pledged their partnership in South Dakota Energy Smart, a statewide initiative that recognizes and promotes energy efficiency.

"South Dakota Energy Smart goes beyond simply offering sage energy conservation advice like ‘turn down the heat' and ‘turn off extra lights,'" said PUC Chairman Dusty Johnson. "While those are easy and important ways to reduce energy bills, South Dakota Energy Smart is a comprehensive approach to energy efficiency. Consumers, energy providers and regulators all have a responsibility to be reactive and proactive to rising energy costs, take steps toward energy security and independence, and be stewards of the land. This initiative addresses all those things," he said.

South Dakota Energy Smart partners include the PUC, Black Hills Power, MidAmerican Energy Company, Montana-Dakota Utilities, NorthWestern Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, Xcel Energy, Heartland Consumers Power District, Missouri River Energy Services, the South Dakota Municipal Electric Association, and the South Dakota Rural Electric Association. Representatives of each entity signed a formal South Dakota Energy Smart pledge during an announcement event held Nov. 27 in Sioux Falls.

PUC Vice Chairman Gary Hanson said: "The South Dakota Energy Smart is a resource to help consumers make wise energy choices. Energy efficiency must be part of any discussion about the future; our Earth's fossil fuels are not infinite, once they are depleted they will be gone forever. Wise energy use helps extend our resources and helps reduce everyone's utility bills."

"I commend the leadership of each partnering utility and association in coming together to support the South Dakota Energy Smart initiative," said PUC Commissioner Steve Kolbeck. "The initiative is a sensible collaboration among partners who have a common interest in advocating energy efficiency. Each of the energy provider partners offers energy efficiency programs or is in the process of developing programs for their South Dakota customers. That shows their true commitment to helping South Dakotans be more efficient users of energy," he concluded.

South Dakota Energy Smart includes a new Web site and a statewide television campaign urging homeowners to prepare their homes for winter.

More than 25 South Dakota organizations and agencies have signed on as South Dakota Energy Smart supporters. These groups represent the housing sector, service agencies, and government offices.

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