- Growing customer demand
- Ongoing clean energy transition
- Increasingly global energy market
- Rising costs impacting customers
- Climate-related risks (extreme weather, regulatory changes, market shifts)
Black Hills Corporation
Greenhouse gas emissions & sustainability report data
In its 2022 reporting, Black Hills Corporation disclosed greenhouse gas emissions of 6.4M tCO2e/year (Owned Generation + Purchased Power). By scope: Scope 1: 4.4M tCO2e/year; Scope 2: 4.3K tCO2e/year; Scope 3: 10.3M tCO2e/year. Figures are as stated in the company's own report and may use different boundaries, units or methods (for example market-based vs location-based Scope 2), so compare with care.
GHG Emissions
6.4M tCO2e/year (Owned Generation + Purchased Power)
2022
Renewable Energy
25% of generation capacity
of total energy
Water Usage
664.45 million gallons/year (Consumptive)
2022
Waste
117.4M lbs/year
2022
📊 Emissions by Scope (2022)
| Scope | What it covers | Reported value |
|---|---|---|
| Scope 1 | Direct emissions from sources the company owns or controls (fuel combustion, company vehicles, process and fugitive emissions). | 4.4M tCO2e/year |
| Scope 2 | Indirect emissions from purchased electricity, steam, heat and cooling. | 4.3K tCO2e/year |
| Scope 3 | Other indirect emissions across the value chain (purchased goods, business travel, use of sold products, etc.). | 10.3M tCO2e/year |
New to scopes? Read Scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions explained and market-based vs location-based Scope 2.
📈 Emissions by Report Period
| Report period | Headline emissions figure reported |
|---|---|
| 2022 | 6.4M tCO2e/year (Owned Generation + Purchased Power) |
| 2021 | 5.0M tCO2e/year (Owned Generation + Purchased Power) |
Each row is the headline figure extracted from a different report; scope coverage and methodology can change between years.
✅ Reported Environmental Achievements
- Reduced electric utility emissions intensity by one-third since 2005
- Added 289 MW of owned and operated wind generation capacity
- Successfully filed and received approval for Green Forward, a voluntary renewable natural gas (RNG) attribute and carbon offset program
- Established Black Hills Energy Renewable Resources, a new business dedicated to bringing RNG to market
- Reduced nitrogen oxide and sulfur dioxide emissions by nearly 80% since 2005
🎯 Climate & Sustainability Targets
🔜 Short-term
- Reduce electric utility emission intensity by 40% by 2030
- Reduce excavation damages to 2 HPT by 2023 and 1.5 HPT by 2025
📅 Medium-term
- Reduce electric utility emission intensity by 70% by 2040
- Electrify 20% of on-road fleet by 2030
🔭 Long-term
- Achieve net zero emissions for natural gas distribution system by 2035
🌱 ESG Focus Areas
Environmental StewardshipSustainable GrowthSocial ResponsibilityCorporate Governance