Haggar and Kloucek Contested Utility Commission Seat
Don Haggar and Frank Kloucek campaigned for a role regulating South Dakota electricity, gas, and telephone utilities.
Updated on Oct. 7, 2026 in Utilities
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize keeping consumer rates low over building infrastructure for new data centers?
During the November 2026 election season, candidates Don Haggar and Frank Kloucek competed for a position on the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission. The race centered on the commission's role in overseeing utility permits and managing rate requests from providers.
Why it matters
The outcome of this race determines the oversight of state energy affordability and reliability, as the commission manages critical infrastructure projects and rate increase requests. Candidates specifically addressed public concerns regarding data center energy demands and property rights.
South Dakota currently ranks 16th in the United States for lowest electricity rates. The state previously spent $10 million on cleanup costs for a former uranium mining site, while the federal EPA contributed $100 million for the same environmental cleanup.
The players
Don Haggar
He is a candidate for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission who focused on energy policy.
Frank Kloucek
He is a candidate for the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission who prioritized utility affordability.
South Dakota Public Utilities Commission
The state agency regulates electricity, natural gas, and telephone utilities while overseeing infrastructure permits.
The details
The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission is responsible for issuing permits for wind and solar projects and managing utility rate increase requests. Legislative focus recently shifted toward the Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights, which mandates local government approval for data center siting and prevents related costs from being passed to consumers.
Timeline
The election occurred during the November 2026 season.
Governor George Mickelson historically imposed a one-year mining moratorium.
Market Landscape
The race highlights the increasing intersection between state-level utility regulation and the rapid expansion of digital infrastructure. It follows the regulatory framework established by the Data Center Citizens Bill of Rights to govern energy consumption and consumer cost protections.
Residents may see changes in how utility rate increase requests are handled and whether data center development costs are passed on to their monthly bills. These regulatory decisions directly influence the long-term affordability and reliability of electricity and gas services in the state.
The takeaway
Effective utility oversight is essential to balancing regional energy reliability with fair pricing for the average consumer. Voters in the region must remain informed on how commission decisions affect both infrastructure expansion and individual household utility expenses.
Further reading
Learn more about the Utilities landscape affecting the state.
Live Poll
Should utility companies prioritize keeping consumer rates low over building infrastructure for new data centers?
