Anchoring the Hills & Prairies
Since 1950, Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative has been more than a wholesale power provider—we’ve been a partner in building stronger communities across western and central South Dakota. From our headquarters in Rapid City, we work alongside our member cooperatives to support the delivery of reliable, affordable energy where it matters most. We also provide ancillary services through our subsidiaries: Rushmore Engineering, Rushmore Communications, and Rushmore Federal Credit Union.
Our 2024 Generation Mix %
23
Coal
13
Hydroelectric
12
Natural Gas
12
Wind
1
Solar/Recovered
39
Market Purchases
Information
Our History
For generations, rural South Dakotans relied on federal hydroelectric dams and private utilities for their power. But after World War II, growing demand from homes and businesses quickly outpaced supply, leaving the region searching for answers. In 1950, five electric cooperatives joined forces to secure reliable power and expand transmission for future hydropower—and Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative was born. Today, that partnership continues to provide affordable, dependable electricity across western and central part of the state, extending into northern Nebraska.
Five rural cooperatives (Black Hills Electric, Butte Electric, Lacreek Electric, West Central Electric, and West River Electric) unite to form Rushmore Electric Power Cooperative, determined to secure reliable electricity for western and central South Dakota.
Facing potential future power shortages, Rushmore partners with Black Hills Power & Light to build the Osage and Kirk Power Plants (photo above), bringing new generation online for thousands of homes and farms.
A new era begins as Missouri River dams—Ft. Randall, Gavin’s Point, Oahe (photo above), and Big Bend—come online, supplying Rushmore entirely with federal hydropower.
Anticipating increased future power consumption (beyond what local generation and federal hydropower could provide), electric co-ops in eight states, including South Dakota, join forces to create Basin Electric Power Cooperative, to secure future power capacity for generations to come.
Basin Electric’s first major plant, Leland Olds Station, comes online in Stanton, North Dakota. It immediately helps Rushmore's co-ops by stabilizing the regional grid.
Growth continues as Cam Wal, Cherry-Todd, and Moreau-Grand cooperatives join Rushmore, expanding Rushmore's support services across South Dakota's heartland.
Rushmore sells the Kirk Power Plant after securing its long-term reliable power supply with Basin Electric's generation fleet and the Western Area Power Administration's (WAPA's) hydropower resources.
Rushmore's new subsidiaries—Rushmore Engineering, Communications, and Federal Credit Union—are created to provide technical, communication, and financial services to members.
Rushmore diversifies its power portfolio, sourcing 84% from Basin Electric and 16% from the federal dams (marketed by WAPA).
Innovation in Rushmore's demand response programs curtails 1.4 GW of peak demand over a 20 year period, saving its member co-ops $27 million in wholesale power costs.
For more than 70 years, Rushmore has been more than a power provider—it’s been a partner, keeping communities strong, connected, and prepared for the future.