In 2022, the City of Pierre rebated $118,438 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.
About $44,000 of those rebates went to Pierre residents; nearly $75,000 went to commercial customers. For both the residential and commercial side, most of the rebates were eligible through HVAC system purchases.
“When you buy an item that qualifies for a rebate, you submit a form to the City,” said Brad Palmer, City Utilities Director. “The rebate amount is then applied to your utility bill.”
Palmer went on to say that the saving expand beyond the rebate.
“The more energy efficient your lighting, your appliances, your home, the lower your utility bill,” said Palmer.
Collectively, the Pierre customers who used the rebate program in 2022 will save 1,240 megawatt-hours (MWh) of energy annually. That equates to enough electricity to power 115 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 whole sale power provider that exclusively serves public power entities.
The Bright Energy Solutions program is offered by a partnership between the City of Pierre and MRES.