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Job Development & the Green Power Express
April 15th, 2009 by Mike Knutson
It’s no secret that South Dakota has tremendous potential to be a wind energy powerhouse. Today, it appears the state has moved one step closer to that reality.
Both of the above statements emerged as I read two articles this morning. The first, titled “Wind Power Development in South Dakota: Good for Jobs, Good for the Economy and Good for the Environment“ identifies the potential benefits of job development, economic growth, and environmental stewardship that wind energy industry provides.
Produced by the Environmental Law & Policy Center (ELCP), the article is the latest in a serious of studies that show the benefits of the wind energy industry in the South Dakota economy.
Back in October 2002, the ELCP unveiled their “Jobs Jolt” report to the South Dakota media at Energy Maintenance Services’ 6,000 sq. ft. manufacturing facility in Howard, SD. That report suggested that 3,800 jobs and $275 million in economic growth could be created in South Dakota by 2020 — if federal and state policy changes occurred.
But the state still lags behind its potential. As the “Wind Power Development in South Dakota” report highlights, South Dakota has 188 MW of installed wind capacity. That compares to Minnesota and Iowa each with over 1,200 MW of installed capacity. The report also tells us there is over 4000 MW currently in the planning and development stages. But that doesn’t guarantee they will be built.
So what needs to change to bring those wind turbines to SD?
Consistently we hear that transmission of energy produced in SD to more populated regions is the barrier. In other words, it is an issue with an inadequate electrical grid system.
That’s why it was such good news to hear that the Green Power Express project took a step forward yesterday when the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) approved incentives that would help construct this 3000 transmission “superhighway.” (read more on that story here)
Admittedly, I don’t know all the pro’s and con’s behind this project, but I love that it helps address the transmission barrier that prevents the development of the wind energy in South Dakota.
Other stories about the Green Power Express
- ‘Green Power Express’ gains federal rate incentives, New York Times.
- Update: FERC OK’s Transmission Incentives for Green Power, Wall Street Journal
- The Green Power Express – Updating our Nation’s Transmission Grid, National Wind blog
Map source: The Green Power Express website “Conceptual Map”
Tags: green jobs, job creation, South Dakota, transmission grid, wind energy
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