Thune continues work on wind energy

Thune continues work on wind energy

By Brandon Bennett, Black Hills Pioneer November 07, 2007

SPEARFISH - Wind-generated power is growing by leaps and bounds in South Dakota, and most of the credit can be attributed to the work of South Dakota Senator John Thune, who is trying to popularize alternative forms of energy like ethanol and wind.

Thune commented in an interview with the Pioneer that he started this push when he realized how far behind the state was when it came to wind generation. "It was when I realized how far behind the curve we've been relative to surrounding states and when we start getting more data on the potential for wind energy in South Dakota," he said.

Thune said the National Renewable Energy Laboratory in Golden, Colo. conducted a study that concluded South Dakota is the windiest state in the nation, and there's enough potential to provide electricity to 55 percent of the nation. "It became pretty clear we had a lot of potential that needed to be tapped and that we needed to start moving forward and figure out a way to generate investment of wind energy in South Dakota that will see this energy source reach its potential," he said.

Thune has followed through with that, holding meetings with wind energy developers and finding out what is available for future plans that include creating jobs and opportunities.

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