Monday, October 6, 2008
Argus Leader reporter Thom Gabrukiewicz pointed to rising energy concerns around, “biofuels, wind, coal, solar technology and the prospect of the first new oil refinery to be built in the United States in more than 30 years” as attracting national and regional groups like ELPC to work in the state.
“South Dakota has a tremendous opportunity to create clean energy on its farms and ranches that is good for the environment,” said Howard Learner, president and executive director with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, which has an office in Sioux Falls. “We’re here to help make a difference in South Dakota.”
Learner said the attention his group is placing on South Dakota is not fleeting. “We’re not dropping in for a year, then dropping out,” he said. “We’re here for the long term.”
Read the full article.
Saturday, June 28, 2008
ELPC is working with the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission to develop interconnection standards for the state. These standards will help small generators–such as small wind projects–connect to the electric grid. The Public Utilities Commission will host its final workshop in July, where ELPC Staff Attorney Brad Klein will serve as co-facilitator with representatives from the National Renewable Energy Laboratory and the Regulatory Assistance Project.
ELPC also continues to work with South Dakota allies to implement and promote the Rural Energy for America Program (REAP). South Dakota has terrific wind and biomass resources and tremendous opportunity to develop exciting new projects on farms and ranches and in rural communities across the state.
Wind Power Development in South Dakota
Wind energy is the fastest growing source of electricity generation in the United States. According to a recent ELPC report, South Dakota’s available wind resources are among the best in the country. South Dakota officials have expressed strong interest in promoting wind energy, but, thus far, little of this potential has been realized. As of January 2008, there are about 4,000 megawatts of wind power under development in South Dakota, but only 188 megawatts of wind energy have been installed. ELPC’s report explains that South Dakota can become a renewable energy powerhouse and identifies important policy drivers that can help to more fully tap these clean energy resources. Download the report here [large pdf file].
1 Comment »
