In 2024, the City of Pierre rebated $59,074 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 $40,000 of those rebates went to residential customers; the lion’s share of the residential rebates were made available through HVAC upgrades and purchases. On the commercial side, a little more than $19,000 was rebated. Those rebates were split primarily through lighting retrofits and variable frequency drives (VFD) and pumps.
“The more people use the program, the more rebates the city gives,” said Brad Palmer, City Utilities Director. “Whether you’re installing a new ceiling fan or doing new construction, we encourage businesses and residents alike to utilize the rebate program.”
Collectively, Pierre customers who used the rebate program in 2024 will save 548,380 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy annually. That equates to enough electricity to power nearly 51 average homes for a year.
“The U.S. doesn’t have an endless supply of energy,” said Palmer. “We want to encourage energy efficiency; it can help balance out the energy supply and the energy demand.”
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.