Wind Power News: South Dakota
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Wind centers aren’t sharing the wealth
BROOKINGS – There’s an old mariner’s proverb that “a rising tide lifts all boats.” In financial terms, it means that an improvement in the economy will benefit everyone. Here on the prairie, we talk about our wind. “It’s an ill wind that blows nobody good,” one proverb says – and some Brookings County residents are struggling with an “ill wind” they believe could bankrupt their townships. Wind energy has poured more than $300,000 into the Brookings County treasury this year, . . .
Taking the case to Pierre
BROOKINGS – The Brookings County townships have taken their case to the state Legislature on three separate occasions, and while they get a sympathetic hearing from the county’s delegation, many of the other legislators think the wind money distribution is a local issue and should be addressed locally. But the township leaders say it is a state-created problem, and redistribution of the wind tax revenue should be based on the number of miles they have to service, versus what the . . .
3 semis collide; Incident in Redfield included vehicle carrying wind blade
A truck carrying a 131-foot-long wind blade from Aberdeen collided with two other semi trucks at the intersection of U.S. highways 281 and 212 north of Redfield about 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, according to the South Dakota Highway Patrol. The truck with the wind blade, driven by Kinney Acrey, 60, was heading south on U.S. Highway 281 when one of its rear axles came unlocked, said state trooper Brian Korbel. That caused the trailer carrying the blade to swing into the . . .
3 semi-trailers collide in Redfield
The South Dakota Highway Patrol is investigating an accident between three semi-trailers in Redfield. The accident happened at about 1 p.m. Wednesday on US Highways 281 and 212 right in front of the courthouse in Redfield. One of the trucks was carrying a wind turbine blade, another was hauling a tank and the third vehicle was a farm truck. Witnesses tell KSFY News the trailer carrying the blade swung across the road and was jumping as it struck the farm . . .
Electricity extortion has South Dakota roost
Pierre — A government folly is playing out in our state’s Capitol over a wind electricity project a group wants to build in Clark County. At the root of this folly is a federal requirement. Believe it or not, a wind farm developer can force a utility company to buy its electricity, even if the company doesn’t want it. This gets worse. The wind power might cost more than the company wants its customers to have to pay for electricity. . . .
Feds charge 3 in wind farm scam
The pitch on behalf of Mountain State Power sounded enticing: For $25,000 and with minimal risk, you could cash in on the green energy boom in Wyoming and South Dakota, taking advantage of a wind farm project partly funded by the federal government. Contracts with local power companies already were in place to buy the wind-driven power, so you’d get your initial investment back quickly, along with a 40 percent annual return on it for the next decade or so. . . .
Daugaard vetoes tax refunds for energy projects
Gov. Dennis Daugaard has vetoed an economic development bill that gave tax subsidies to power companies. The measure, HB1228, was a last-minute proposal in the legislative session. It gave automatic tax refunds to large wind energy projects, and to large environmental projects at traditional power plants. The latter clause was aimed at helping the Big Stone power plant in northeast South Dakota with a planned upgrade. In his veto message, Daugaard said HB1228 had many flaws, which he said derived . . .
Developer says legislation law may hurt local wind farm project
BELLE FOURCHE – The developer for a Belle Fourche-area wind farm said South Dakota’s pro-wind farm bill now on the governor’s desk should have a lower threshold for refunds from state tax on construction costs. Mark Eilers said that as it stands now, House Bill 1228 will hurt smaller projects such as the one northwest of Belle Fourche. The Rapid City native said his concern is for the $50 million capital costs threshold before the refunds would kick in. “Our . . .
Eilers: New law may hurt local wind farm project
BELLE FOURCHE – The developer for a Belle Fourche area wind farm said South Dakota’s pro-wind farm bill now on the governor’s desk should have a lower threshold for refunds from state tax on construction costs. Mark Eilers said that as it stands now, House Bill 1228 will hurt smaller projects such as the one northwest of Belle Fourche. The Rapid City native said his concern is for the $50 million capital costs threshold before the refunds would kick in. . . .
Wind energy tax breaks get OK from SD House
The state House of Representatives gave final legislative approval today to significant tax reductions for wind energy projects and environmental upgrades at large electricity plants in South Dakota. The vote on House Bill 1228 was 52-16. The legislation now goes to Gov. Dennis Daugaard for his decision whether to sign the measure into law. It would provide 50 percent rebates on the sales and use taxes and the contractor excise taxes paid. Rep. Roger Solum, R-Watertown, led the argument in . . .
