In 2023, the City of Pierre rebated $79,891 to its utility customers through the City’s Bright Energy Solutions (BES) Program. BES provides utility credits to people and businesses that purchase Energy Star appliances and lighting, electric vehicle chargers, and energy efficient mechanical systems.
Last year, about $44,000 of those rebates went to residential customers; more than $36,000 went to commercial customers. Residential rebates came primarily from HVAC system upgrades while most commercial customers cashed in their rebates by retrofitting lighting.
“Using the rebate program is pretty simple,” said Brad Palmer, City Utilities Director. “When you buy a qualifying product, you submit a form to the City. We then apply the corresponding credit to your utility bill.”
Palmer added that the more people who use the program, the more rebates the City provides.
“We encourage the community to use the program,” added Palmer. “The more energy efficient your lighting, your appliances, your home, the lower your utility bill.”
Collectively, Pierre customers who used the rebate program in 2023 will save 787,507 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually. That equates to enough electricity to power 78 U.S. homes for a year.
Palmer added, “We’re a community-owned utility; what’s good for our customers is good for us.”
For a complete list of rebate options, rebate forms, and other energy-saving resources, visit BrightEnergySolutions.com.
The City of Pierre does not generate electricity; it distributes it. About two-thirds of Pierre’s electric power is hydroelectric power generated by the Oahe Dam and purchased from the Western Area Power Administration. The other one-third is purchased through Missouri River Energy Services (MRES), a not-for-profit wholesale power provider that exclusively serves public power entities.
The Bright Energy Solutions program is offered through a partnership between the City of Pierre and MRES.
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