Energy Efficiency Potential in the Dakotas

Plains Justice
Completed April 2010

Synapse prepared two separate reports that describe the potential for energy efficiency (EE) in North Dakota and South Dakota, and the economic and jobs benefits that could occur from developing and implementing EE programs in these states. Both states lag others in developing their EE programs and have electricity consumption rates that are 20-30% higher than the U.S. national average. Despite low electricity rates, the high rate of energy consumption results in residents of both states spending higher shares of their per capita incomes on energy bills than residents of other states, including those with higher electricity rates. The reports show that EE programs that result in energy savings equal to 1% and 2% of annual electricity sales would save ratepayers hundreds of millions of dollars by 2020 and lead to the creation of thousands of new jobs.