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Is South Dakota violating PURPA?
PURPA was enacted it 1978. Its purpose is to encourage alternative energy development by providing qualified facility (QF) status to eligible cogeneration and small renewables with rights to sell to...
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Renewable Energy Day at the Capitol
Check out the photos, and email the House Commerce and Energy Committee members TODAY and tell them to pass HB 1232 in support of local energy production!
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CAFO bill #3 up tomorrow – losing local control
CAFO bill #3 is up House Local Government will vote on HB 1201 Thursday, February 19, at 10amCT in room 414 Great news – two out of three bad CAFO bills have been killed by the legislature. But there...
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No Common Core: House Bill 1223
by Bill Powers HB 1223 will end the state’s involvement with Common Core. The Bill states: “The South Dakota Board of Education shall end the state’s involvement with the Common Core State Standards...
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HB 1030, The passing of bicycles, moves to the Senate
1030fa also includes the stipulation that bicyclists may not pass a vehicle to the right when that vehicle is signaling to make a right turn. This is some common sense reasoning that I can only hope is...
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One step toward the value of local energy – an analysis
However, the rates that Missouri River's members pay for their electricity is on the order of 5 cents/kwh. It is cheaper for them to purchase electricity from the QF...Why then would such nonregulated...
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South Dakota’s County Site Analysis Program
We cannot continue to ignore environmental realities that are directly related to our land use behaviors. The Big Sioux River is the 13th dirtiest river in the nation...we continue to permit...
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The benefits of installing solar in South Dakota
The more people we can persuade of this, the more amenable will be the state and even utilities to come to some more satisfactory terms with home generation systems.
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Update on teacher pay
by Bill Powers Lieutenant Governor Matt Michels recently (as of Monday, March 1) indicated that in consultation with the legislature’s leadership there is general concern over increasing property taxes...
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The real problem with HB 1201
Join us in continuing to fight for what we know IS the future: diversified, vibrant family farms and ranches (corporate or not) where the seventh generation can come back to clean soil, clean water, a...
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HB 1241: Unnecessary Petition Shenanigans
by Robin Bagley In a year where South Dakotans will vote on a record number of ballot issues, Rep. Jim Bolin (R-District 16) has introduced a bill that will make sure rural voters get an even deal with...
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HB 1140: Taking Last Year’s HB 1201 and Making It Worse
by Catherine Carter (Note: This is part three in a series on HB 1140. Part one is here, and part two is here.) HB 1140 is up for a hearing in House Local Government Thursday, February 11, at 10am CT....
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Dakota Rural Voices Episode 5: HB 1008
HB 1008 and Transgender Rights: Perspective of a School Board Member: Dakota Rural Voices hosts Randy Grimsley, Brookings School Board member and Brookings native, to talk about HB 1008, the...
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The Demise of SB 113, the Good Biking Bill:
by Tony Helland This past Wednesday the Senate Transportation Committee killed the second of two bicycling bills this session. The committee deferred SB 113 to the nonexistent 41st legislative day,...
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HB 1140: Another Perspective
by Bill Powers There has been much discussion of HB 1140. The general opinion is that its intention is to limit the ability to appeal county commissioner decisions, especially with regard to zoning...
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Dakota Rural Voices: Charlie Johnson and the Future of Farming
What IS the future of farming in South Dakota – and how does HB 1140 put it at risk? Join us this week as we talk with Charlie Johnson, a large-scale organic farmer here in South Dakota. The future of...
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Weekend Special: Negativity and the SD Legislature
by Carl Kline Has South Dakota ever had a legislative session with such a negative attitude, sometimes about insignificant issues? Some of the old timers in the state will know better than I. I’ve only...
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Country of Origin Labeling – An Attempt at Local Labeling
This morning, Representative Paula Hawks and Senator Jason Frerichs brought legislation that would have established a local labeling program for beef. You can read the language of the legislation here:...
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Dakota Rural Voices Episode 7: The Legal Case Against HB 1140
We’ve talked about why HB 1140 is bad for farmers and agriculture. But what about the bill itself, and what if it makes it into law? Kelsea Sutton, an attorney in South Dakota, breaks it down for us....
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Eminent Domain Reforms Inch Forward
by Robin EH. Bagley One of the bright spots in this year’s legislative session have been the positive changes to the state’s eminent domain laws. Both HB 1134 and HB 1153 were collaboratively worked on...
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