SDWEA holds third annual membership meeting
The focus of the meeting is to review work focusing on markets for future wind development.
South Dakota Wind Energy Association
- December 9, 2011
Providing needed transmission and developing suitable markets for wind energy in South Dakota was a primary discussion point during the South Dakota Wind Energy Association's (SDWEA) third membership meeting held Nov. 29, 2011, at Lake Area Technical Institute (LATI) in Watertown, SD.
According to SDWEA Board President Jeff Nelson, the focus of the meeting is to review the work that was commissioned by the SDWEA in partnership with the Governor's Office of Economic Development focusing on markets for future wind development.
"By asking ourselves, 'How do we move the wind out of South Dakota to find those export markets?' it offers a challenge to us as an association and to the state to search for the business case that is going to enable additional wind development and further building of a wind industry," Nelson said.
Commissioner Pat Costello of South Dakota Governor's Office of Economic Development (GOED) and South Dakota Energy Policy Director Hunter Roberts discussed the economic opportunities of wind in South Dakota.
Costello said the mission within the GOED is to help businesses create opportunities for the citizens of South Dakota. "We've had an opportunity to see the energy generation in the state and the impact of the jobs that it's created."
This mission includes attracting those outside of South Dakota to the benefits of wind energy according to Roberts. He said the GOED has helped promote the state's renewable resource by reserving a booth during the American Wind Energy Association's Wind Power Conferences, hosting a South Dakota Wind Power Supply Chain as well as partnering with SDWEA for the Wind market Discovery Project 2011 and the South Dakota Wind Blueprint 2010.
Newly named SDWEA Executive Director Ron Rebenitsch provided a current status and outlook of wind energy in South Dakota. Rebenitsch said while South Dakota ranks fourth nationally in the area of wind energy potential, several challenges exist to be able to capitalize upon this.Current natural gas prices, the necessity to preserve the Production Tax Credit and establishing suitable markets are key, but among the greatest hurdles is the need to develop adequate transmission to move the power, Rebenitsch said. "You can't sell your product unless you can get it to market."
SDWEA President Jeff Nelson provided the ‘State of the Association,’ as he reaffirmed the Association’s themes of encouraging the development of transmission markets, upholding the wind rights of landowners, advocating for community wind and promoting job creating and educational opportunities.
As the SDWEA looks ahead, Nelson stressed the importance to build the state’s wind industry by continuing to support state initiatives, expand wind manufacturing and support industries, broaden and sustain membership as well as advance education and advocacy.
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