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More wind energy plannedSIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP)--A 306-megawatt wind farm proposed for 77 acres in Brookings and Deuel counties would nearly triple the state's total production of wind energy. The $700 million wind farm would make enough electricity to power 148,000 homes. Oregon-based Iberdrola Renewables wants to build the wind farm close to its two existing farms near White. The Buffalo Ridge II project would join the 54-megawatt Minn-Dakota farm that began operation in April and the 55-megawatt Buffalo Ridge I unit, which should be completed early next year. Iberdrola submitted its latest permit application to the state Public Utilities Commission last month. "It's a $700 million project, it's a huge investment in the Brookings area," Iberdrola spokeswoman Jan Johnson said of Buffalo Ridge II. "We've been gratified with the welcome the Brookings area has given us. If we weren't completely happy, we wouldn't be investing our resources there." The project includes a 13-mile, 115-kilovolt overhead transmission line to connect to a collection substation near Brookings. "We don't have a customer at this time," Johnson said, "although the point would be to sell to markets in the Midwest." Iberdrola turned in a 120-page application to the state Public Utilities Commission last month. Any wind project of more than 100 megawatts must seek PUC approval. Johnson said the company hopes to get its permit by February, begin construction in May and start generating power in 2010. The company says the project would create about 100 temporary construction jobs and 18 to 23 permanent jobs. "Were always open to economic progress," said Mayor Randy Brown of White. "We've got new home lots being developed, a great school system, just a lot of good things happening in White." South Dakota ranks fourth nationally for potential wind capacity but is 18th in existing capacity, according to the American Wind Energy Association. 11/24/08 Date: 12/12/08 Advertisement
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