In 2007, former Gov. Mike Rounds enacted South Dakota’s renewable portfolio goal of 10 percent of all electricity sales come from renewable sources by 2015.
Qualifying sources include wind, solar, hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal resources, and unused waste heat. The objective was modified in 2009 to include energy saved through conservation.
Utilities may meet the target goal through the purchase of a certain level of megawatt hours of electricity from qualified sources and the purchase of renewable energy credits (RECs).
As of 2009, utilities are required to submit annual reports detailing the steps they have taken to meet the target objective and the challenges and obstacles they face in meeting the goal.
Source: Database for State Incentives for Renewables and Efficiency