Public power: Miller’s story
October 6, 2026As we celebrate Public Power Week and the many benefits of being a public power community, we are proud to share the public power story of Miller, SD, shared with us by their staff. If you’d like to share your community’s public power story or any interesting facts about your electric utility, please send to Heartland Energy Chief Communications Officer Ann Hyland.
For the city of Miller, SD, public power means more than keeping the lights on. It means having a locally owned electric system that allows us to invest in our community, support other city services, and plan responsibly for Miller’s future.
Miller’s electric story began more than 120 years ago. According to a historical edition of The Miller Press, the community’s first electric plant was privately owned, and Miller’s first electric lights were turned on in 1903.
It was another sign of progress for the growing community, which had been established following the arrival of its first settlers and the founding of the town in 1881.
As Miller continued to grow, electric service eventually became part of the services administered by the city.
An old “Application for Electric Service and Steam Heating” preserved in city records gives us a glimpse of what utility service looked like years ago. The application referenced City Ordinance No. 180 and required customers to apply for service and provide a deposit of $5 before receiving electricity or steam heat. That deposit could be applied toward unpaid bills, with any remaining balance returned when service ended as long as the customer owed nothing to the city.
A lot has changed since those early days, but one thing has remained the same: Miller’s electric system continues to play an important role throughout our community.
Today, our Electric Department does much more than provide electricity. Crews have assisted the school with new parking lot light poles, footings and wiring, as well as relocating underground electrical lines for the elementary school expansion.
They also provide equipment, manpower and electrical expertise for projects at our parks, pool, ball fields, airport and other city facilities.
In 2015, the Electric Department contributed approximately $100,000 toward an airport lighting project.
Electric revenues have also supported broader community and economic development over the years. In the past, the city provided approximately $100,000 annually to On Hand Development, the local economic development organization.
As the city’s financial needs changed, those practices were reevaluated and adjustments were made to protect the city’s long-term financial stability and ensure funds remain available for future infrastructure and essential services.
Today, the Electric Department continues to monitor and maintain Miller’s electrical system, plan and save for future improvements, offer budget billing to customers, and respond quickly when outages occur.
Electric Department employees also regularly assist other city departments, helping complete projects in-house and saving the city the expense of hiring outside labor.
From the first electric lights illuminating Miller in 1903 to the locally owned system serving our residents today, public power has been part of our community’s story for more than a century.
Public power keeps our resources local, allows us to invest back into our community, and helps ensure Miller is prepared for the future. More than 120 years later, we’re proud to continue being part of the story of Miller.
