South Dakota moved from 47th to 36th in this year's American Council for Energy Efficiency Economy survey, and Public Utilities Commission Chairman Dusty Johnson says it's a validation of state policy the last couple of years.

In 2007, the PUC and utility companies began South Dakota Energy Smart to get residents to change the way they use energy. Several utilities responded with rebate and incentive programs.

The council study, in its third year, highlighted South Dakota's utility-sector policies.