Haggar and Kloucek Contested Utilities Commission Seats
Candidates running for the commission are debating the future of energy costs and utility project oversight.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize keeping consumer rates low over building infrastructure for new data centers?
Don Haggar and Frank Kloucek competed for positions on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission during the 2026 election cycle. The commission holds authority over electric, natural gas, and telephone rate structures.
Why it matters
Operators depend on the commission for predictable energy pricing and project permitting. The candidates prioritized balancing affordability and reliability as concerns over rising energy demand from data centers grow.
South Dakota currently ranks 16th in the nation for electricity rates. Regulatory scrutiny follows a historical $10 million state-funded cleanup at a former uranium site, compared to $100 million in federal EPA expenditures for the same area.
The players
Don Haggar
A candidate for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission focused on energy policy.
Frank Kloucek
A candidate for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission focused on energy policy.
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
The state regulatory body overseeing electric, natural gas, and telecommunications utilities.
The details
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission regulates state energy providers by reviewing rate increase requests and issuing permits for infrastructure like solar or wind projects. Recent legislative changes, such as the Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights, now require local government siting approval and mandate that data centers bear their own associated energy costs. Future commission actions will also include oversight of the proposed merger between Northwestern Public Service and Black Hills Power and Light.
Timeline
Governor George Mickelson historically imposed a one-year mining moratorium.
The 2026 election season featured public debate regarding utility rates and data centers.
Candidates contested the Public Utilities Commission seat in November 2026.
Market Landscape
The race follows the implementation of the Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights, which shifted the cost-burden responsibility for data center energy infrastructure. This move aligns with a broader trend of state commissions creating specific regulatory frameworks for high-load industrial consumers.
Business owners should monitor the commission’s upcoming decisions on the Northwestern Public Service and Black Hills Power and Light merger. Future rate filings will indicate how effectively the Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights protects commercial and residential customers from infrastructure costs.
The takeaway
Energy affordability remains a primary concern for local operators given the state's 16th-place ranking. Owners should track the commission's future utility merger approvals to anticipate potential shifts in monthly operating costs.
Further reading
For more background on the state's energy landscape, visit Utilities.
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize keeping consumer rates low over building infrastructure for new data centers?
