Dakota War College | January 23, Waylon Brown
South Dakota’s leadership is right to argue that national security should be the state’s next big industry.
In a recent column, Governor Rhoden outlined how South Dakota contributes to keeping America safe, from Ellsworth Air Force Base and the arrival of the B-21 bomber to leadership in cybersecurity, defense innovation, and food security. These efforts strengthen our country while creating good-paying jobs and long-term opportunities.
There is another critical component of national security where South Dakota’s continued leadership will be essential in the years ahead: Energy security.
Energy security is national security. A nation that cannot reliably power its homes, farms, hospitals, military installations, and businesses is a nation exposed to risk. Energy disruptions weaken economic stability, threaten public safety, and leave communities vulnerable. South Dakota has taken a practical approach to energy policy that prioritizes reliability, affordability, and homegrown production.
South Dakota is widely recognized as a national leader in renewable energy generation. Thanks to abundant wind resources and longstanding hydroelectric infrastructure, renewable energy supplies a substantial share of in-state electricity. Wind produces more power than any other single energy source in South Dakota, helping the state remain a producer of energy to surrounding regions.
That leadership matters. A diverse energy mix that includes all power sources – including coal, natural gas, hydro, wind, and solar – protects consumers from volatile fuel markets and sudden price swings. When fuel prices spike elsewhere, South Dakotans benefit from greater stability. That predictability matters to families managing household budgets, to farmers navigating tight margins, and to employers making long-term investment decisions.
Energy security also supports South Dakota’s rural economy. Wind and solar projects are financed with private capital and bring significant investment into rural counties. These projects create construction and maintenance jobs while generating tax revenue that stays local. In 2025 alone, wind facilities paid more than $16 million in nameplate capacity and production taxes, with nearly $6 million going directly to local school districts. That revenue supports classrooms, infrastructure, and essential public services without increasing the burden on property taxpayers.
Responsible energy development respects private property rights and strengthens agricultural livelihoods. Landowners who choose to host energy projects continue to farm and ranch their land while receiving steady lease payments that help family operations remain viable during volatile commodity markets. These agreements are voluntary and market-driven, reflecting landowner choice rather than government mandate.
State leadership has rightfully emphasized a systems-based approach to national security that recognizes how defense, food production, economic development, and innovation work together. Energy security fits squarely within that framework. Reliable and affordable power underpins every sector, from military readiness to agriculture.
South Dakota has already shown what is possible when we pursue practical, all-of-the-above energy policies rooted in common sense. By continuing to lead in homegrown energy production, our state can strengthen national security, support rural communities, and ensure affordable and reliable power for generations to come.
Energy security is not a partisan issue. It is a practical solution that’ll keep South Dakota strong, competitive, and secure for years to come.
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