Wind Energy Forum Meeting held in Miner County

Contact Person: Randy Parry – 772-5135; parryr@alliancecom.net

Approximately 60 people interested in wind energy gathered in Miner County on July 10th to learn more about the potential for wind generation development in South Dakota.

A 20-year veteran of the wind industry, Jay Haley, presented comparison wind generation information from other states in the nation. Haley is a Mechanical Engineer and Partner with EAPC Architects Engineers in Grand Forks, ND.

Large and small wind developers from around the world have been looking at the Dakotas in recent months. Large-scale wind farm development is likely in the next few years.

The wind turbines operational in Miner County include the two 108 kW turbines in Howard and the 30 kW prototype at Jake’s Corner. The 108 kW turbine in Canova will be operational in about two weeks and the other 108 kW turbine is scheduled for Carthage this fall.

The turbines in Miner County will be among the eight in the state of South Dakota. The other turbines statewide are located near Gary and Chamberlain, SD and are considerably larger at 900 kW and 1.3 megawatts respectively.

Six wind forums of this kind were held around the state. The forums will conclude this week in the towns of Clear Lake, Miller and Wessington Springs.

These forums were scheduled to raise awareness and education regarding the potential of wind generation’s economic impact on South Dakota if it is developed. South Dakota currently ranks 4th in the nation as a wind resource.

Four legislative issues may hinder wind turbine development. These include the two percent excise tax, 3 percent sales and use tax, high property taxes and Amendment E.

Haley said that Amendment E makes it is unclear as to whether developers can lease farm land in South Dakota.

Diversified Energy Services (DES) representative Steve Scott was on hand as a sponsor and presenter for the event and voiced his support for wind generation as well.

“There is room for small and large wind developments in South Dakota,” Scott said. “It is through meetings like this that people can be made more aware of the issues hindering wind development.”

The Miner County Forum was covered by KSFY-TV and other local and regional media.

If anyone is interested in viewing the Miner County Wind Forum, MCCR has made a videotape of the presentation.