I live in one of the Midwest corridor states. South Dakota. There's nothing much out here 'cept a few fence posts. The country is wide and flat and open. And windy. There is no such thing as a calm day. So imagine my consternation when I read this article this morning.
Some fear tax plans in Pierre could chill growth of wind energy
"We have a huge problem coming down the pike, and we need consistent public policy," said Steve Wegman, executive director of the South Dakota Wind Energy Association. "This business will just move across the borders, into Minnesota, into Iowa, into North Dakota. That's not a threat, it's just dollars and sense. It's time to scrap these bills and let's get everybody to the table and talk tax policy."
I can drive 30 miles to the east directly into a wind farm in Lake Benton, Minnesota. Hell, I can see the windmills from the edge of town.
"It's not easy deciphering the ebb and flow of the political winds in Pierre," said Matt McLarty, South Dakota policy advocate with the Environmental Law & Policy Center, a Chicago-based environmental and economic development advocacy organization. "They're talking about a budget savings of $3 million for the state when there's the potential for billions in wind investments. These three bills will do long-term damage to South Dakota and its wind investments."
"And when you're talking investments in wind, you're talking about heavy, capital-intensive projects," Wegman said. "A cheap project for us is $300 million."
The state has 313 megawatts of production from its wind farms. According to the revised DOE study, South Dakota is the fifth windiest spot in the nation, but lags in production at 20th. By contrast, Iowa ranks as the seventh windiest state but has the second-highest operating wind capacity in the nation - behind Texas - with 3,670 megawatts.
We're one of the states that are hurting. You've all read about the conditions on the reservations. Jobs are tight in this state. I work at the university which is the town's major employer. We've had a hiring freeze for the past few months. Not even replacing people who leave.
The state NEEDS the economic development. The nation needs clean energy sources. What the flock are the legislators thinking? My husband claims the Oahe Dam and the Big Stone coal plant want to keep a monopoly on electric production.
This diary is just a pre-rant. Time to write a long letter to the local idjit.