In a September 24, 2024 map from the U.S. Department of Energy, South Dakota is the only state not participating in the Home Energy Rebates program.
A national advocacy group has filed its petition, signed by 904 South Dakotans, urging Governor Kristi Noem to reconsider her decision to reject nearly $69 million in federal funds for home energy efficiency rebates .
Noem is the only governor in the country to decline participation. The petition urges action, but is non-binding.
“We believe this is a misuse of taxpayer dollars and call on Governor Noem to immediately request an extension and apply for these programs on behalf of our state,” reads the petition from Dakota Rural Action, a grassroots organization focused on family farming and nature conservation. . “South Dakota deserves to benefit from our tax dollars.”
In its two-week petition effort, the organization collected signatures from South Dakotans in 143 communities. The organization told South Dakota Searchlight that the governor’s office has not responded. Noem’s office also did not immediately respond to a request from South Dakota Searchlight for comment on the petition.
The Noem administration previously cited concerns about administrative burdens, limited staff capacity and disagreements with federal policy as reasons for not participating in the scheme. Home Energy rebates program.
Noem’s Bureau of Finance and Management Commissioner Jim Terwilliger spoke on behalf of the administration at a July Legislative Budget Committee meeting.
“We just don’t believe this is the right choice for South Dakota,” Terwilliger said.
The national Home Energy Rebates program is funded with $9 billion from the federal Inflation Reduction Act. The program offers rebates for energy-efficient home renovations and high-efficiency electrical appliances.
South Dakota’s allocation is $68.56 millionbut the state has not indicated that he wishes to participate before an August deadline. The state used to be passed by $1.8 million to help establish and administer the program.
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