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711 E. Wells Ave.
Pierre, SD 57501
(605) 773-3301
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, May 22, 2007
CONTACT: Sarah Van Berkum at 605-773-3301
Gov. Rounds Signs Wind Energy Agreement with Heartland Consumers Power District
PIERRE, S.D. – Gov. Mike Rounds and Heartland Consumers Power District (Heartland) will sign an agreement on Wednesday, May 23, 3 p.m., at the Heartland offices, to encourage wind power.
The agreement is a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Heartland and the State of South Dakota which states that South Dakota wind energy will now be used for additional power needs at South Dakota State University (SDSU) and the University of South Dakota (USD).
“This agreement makes great sense for South Dakota,” said Gov. Rounds. “It’s a good way to supply the energy needs at two of our state universities and also encourage the growing wind power industry in our state – a true win for all parties involved.”
The MOU updates an existing agreement originally created in 1976 for Heartland to supply growing energy needs at SDSU and USD. Under the original agreement, Heartland established to meet the energy demand at SDSU and USD that exceeded the universities’ Western Area Power Authority (WAPA) power allocation. The new agreement ensures that the power will come from South Dakota based wind industry.
“This agreement is another opportunity for Heartland to demonstrate our commitment to develop South Dakota’s premier wind resources, and provide our customers with renewable options,” said Mike McDowell, general manager of Heartland.
Babcock & Brown, through its affiliate Wessington Wind I, LLC, will construct, own and operate a wind power facility of up to 51MW capacity near Wessington Springs in Jerauld County, S.D. The project will be operational by the end of 2008, and will supply renewable wind power to the IS transmission grid jointly owned by Western Area Power Administration, Basin Electric Power Cooperative and Heartland. The environmental benefits of the project are shown in the attached tables.
Heartland will use wind energy from the Babcock & Brown wind power facility near Wessington Springs. Heartland and Babcock & Brown announced a long term agreement in March under which Heartland will purchase all of the output of the Wessington Springs Wind Project.
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