The South Dakota Democratic Party is calling out Gov. Kristi Noem for once again turning down federal money that would help people across our state. The Governor rejected more than $70 million for rebates to help South Dakotans buy energy efficient appliances and make home improvements. These programs would have helped people save money on energy bills, especially for low-and-moderate-income households. For the Home Efficiency Rebate, people could have saved up to $8,000 on their home improvement projects, while the Home Electrification and Appliance Rebate could have provided households with up to $14,000. Instead, Noem chose to put politics over people.

“We were the only state to turn down the energy rebate funds,” said Rep. Linda Duba (District 15). “Our refusal to accept them negatively impacts South Dakotans. The Noem Administration continues to ignore the needs of children, families, small businesses, commercial builders, and local governments. The funds that we turn away are used by participating states.”

“This is another example of Governor Noem taking away our freedom,” said Minority Leader Sen. Reynold Nesiba (District 15). “She continues to put her extreme ideological agenda over the pragmatic benefits of her constituents. Let South Dakotans decide if they want to take advantage of these programs. Noem’s refusal to accept these funds just means they end up elsewhere, like Minnesota. Gov. Tim Walz will allow his constituents to save money, conserve energy, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.”

Other federal funds that Gov. Noem has turned down include $7.5 million to feed low-income kids during the summer, a federal grant program to support solar energy projects and cybersecurity grants for county and city governments. Because of these decisions, South Dakota is falling behind.

For questions, you can contact the SDDP Executive Director Dan Ahlers at [email protected] or 605-940-3071. You can also contact the SDDP office at 605-271-5405 or email [email protected].