SD governor signs bill streamlining solar, wind permit procedures

South Dakota Gov. Kristi Noem signed a bill this week to streamline the permit procedures for solar and wind energy facilities and help the state’s Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to manage its docket.

The legislation, SB15, clarifies that the PUC has authority to ensure solar and wind energy facilities are permitted in a timely fashion and with public safety in mind. Further, the bill strikes duplication of efforts done at the local level.

“Harnessing South Dakota’s sunshine and wind is critical to expanding clean, renewable energy solutions,” Noem said. “But like any industry, renewable energy production cannot thrive under heavy regulation and long approval processes. This bill is a commonsense approach from industry experts, legislators, and the Commission to reduce regulatory redundancy, right-size the permitting process, and provide certainty to further solar and wind energy production in South Dakota.”

SB15 also provides for an orderly process of accepting and hearing public comments. In addition, the bill unifies the timeline of like-permitting processes and it grants deference during the commission’s permitting process to permit findings the local unit of government has already decided upon. The legislation is the result of collaboration between the governor’s office, the commission, industry experts, and legislators.