Rushmore Electric:
Rushmore Electric is the wholesale power provider for eight rural electric cooperatives
in western and central South Dakota. Rushmore Electric buys the bulk of its power
from Basin Electric Power Cooperative who operates coal-fired plants, natural gas
plants, renewable energy facilities, and a nuclear plant in Wyoming, Iowa, Montana,
South Dakota, and North Dakota. About a sixth of its power comes from Western Area
Power Administration, the federal marketer of low-cost hydroelectric power from
the dams on the Missouri River. Rushmore Electric also provides a communications
and control system for real-time monitoring of the electrical system. The Rapid
City-based company also provides a variety of services to co-ops and agencies through
its Rushmore Engineering and Rushmore Communications businesses. Rushmore Electric
also provides contract labor and facilities to Rushmore Electric Federal Credit
Union, who provides credit union services to electric cooperative employees in western
South Dakota and Northeastern Wyoming.