GRIMES, Iowa—Black Hills Energy today announced the release of its 2022 Sustainability Report highlighting the company’s progress on climate goals and its economic and charitable impact in Iowa.

“We are pleased to share our progress to create a cleaner energy future for our customers while also demonstrating the ways Black Hills Energy is making a positive impact in our communities,” said Kevin Jarosz, vice president of Iowa and Nebraska operations. “Our sustainability report provides insight and transparency into our values-driven priorities.”

Throughout 2022, Black Hills Energy continued to achieve progress toward its gas utilities greenhouse gas emissions target to Net Zero by 2035 and plans to achieve its Net Zero target through ongoing infrastructure investment, damage prevention and integration of low carbon fuels.

“We have set challenging yet realistic goals for delivering cleaner energy and have a clear path to reduce our emissions while minimizing cost impacts to our customer,” continued Jarosz.

Report highlights include:

• Caring for the community: In 2022, the company’s community support totaled $6.1 million, including over $758,000 in for United Way and more than $760,000 from the company’s energy assistance fund, which matches customers’ and employees’ contributions dollar-for-dollar. In Iowa, our combined charitable impact, driven by shareholder investment, exceeded $647,000 and our employees volunteered 3,400 hours to improve our communities.

• Creating value: The company’s investment in the safety, reliability and sustainability of its extensive utility systems delivers meaningful growth and sustains jobs, families and communities. In 2022, Black Hills Energy’s direct economic impact totaled $1.34 billion. In Iowa, the direct economic impact to the communities we serve totaled $65 million. 

• Energy efficiency and conservation: Black Hills Corporation provided just under $9 million in energy efficiency rebates in 2022 to residential and business customers, leading to annual energy savings of about 17 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 386,000 dekatherms of natural gas – enough energy to power over 2,300 homes with electricity and about 4,900 homes with natural gas for one year. In Iowa, Black Hills Energy continues to partner with city leaders and chambers to educate customers on simple tips and tricks to reduce energy use inside their home or business while reducing their environmental footprint.

Learn more at www.blackhillsenergy.com/sustainability

(contributed press release, Black Hills Energy)