FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Sept. 14, 2022 – Black Hills Energy announced an updated clean energy target to further reduce methane emissions associated with its natural gas utility system. The “Net Zero by 2035” target is among the highlights featured in the company’s newly released 2021 sustainability report addressing environmental, social and governance priorities, plans and achievements. 

“We are pleased to share our progress to create a cleaner energy future for our customers with this sustainability report that provides insight and transparency into our values-driven priorities,” said Chad Kinsley, Black Hills Energy’s vice president of operations for Arkansas. “Our new Net Zero target by 2035 builds on our natural gas system safety and integrity initiatives and expands upon strategies underway to strengthen our system, such as advanced leak detection and expanded damage prevention efforts.” 

The new target doubles and replaces the company’s previous commitment of a 50% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions intensity for mains and services by 2035 and expands the scope of the goal to include all sources of methane emissions in the company’s distribution system. This includes pipeline mains and services, damages, blowdowns, transfer stations, meters and pressure relief valves. The goal boundary of the target is defined as Scope 1 by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).

Other highlights include: 

• Advancements in renewable natural gas (RNG): In 2021, the company developed a voluntary RNG and carbon offset program in some states to help residential and small business natural gas customers offset 100% or more of the emissions associated with their own natural gas usage. The company plans to request approval from regulators to offer the voluntary program to Arkansas customers in 2023. 
• Caring for the community: Black Hills Energy’s community support in Arkansas totaled $364,000 in 2021, including $93,000 in contributions and sponsorships, $97,000 in economic development funding, $84,000 in contributions to the United Way and $84,000 in energy assistance to help families in need. 
• Creating value: The company’s investment in the safety, reliability and sustainability of its extensive utility systems supports meaningful growth and sustains jobs, families and communities. In 2021, Black Hills Energy’s direct economic impact in Arkansas totaled $113 million. 
• Energy efficiency: Black Hills Energy provided over $10 million in energy efficiency rebates in 2021 to residential and business customers across the company’s service territory, leading to annual energy savings of about 16 million kilowatt-hours of electricity and 380,000 dekatherms of natural gas – enough energy to power over 2,050 homes with electricity and about 4,500 homes with natural gas for one year. 

The company achieved a fourth consecutive annual ENERGY STAR award from the EPA in 2022 for its energy efficiency program in Arkansas and is exploring ways to advance the adoption of advanced appliances, such as high efficiency natural gas furnaces and combined fuel heat pumps.

Learn more at blackhillsenergy.com/sustainability.