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South Dakota renewable energy bill signed

Governor Kristi Noem signed a bill Tuesday that the governor’s office says streamlines the permit procedures for solar and wind energy facilities. The bill calls for permit determination for such facilities to be made by the Public Utilities Commission within nine months.

Governor Noem says the industry that harnesses South Dakota’s sunshine and wind cannot thrive under heavy regulation and long approval processes. She calls the bill a commonsense approach to reduce regulatory redundancy.

Governor Noem earlier vetoed a bill that called for the process to be completed within 12 months.