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Wind Energy

Progress in North Dakota:

I have been a strong supporter of wind energy, and I am pleased that the wind industry in North Dakota is making big strides in advancing this technology.

In 2002, Minnkota Power put up the first commercial-scale turbine near Valley City.

In addition, two turbines went up near the Minot Air Force Base, which are the result of $500,000 I added to the FY2002 Defense Appropriations bill. The bill directed the Air Force Base to purchase wind-generated electricity at the Minot Air Force Base, the Grand Forks Air Force Base, as well as 6 other bases in the nation. These funds also led to the construction of an additional turbine at the Grand Forks Air Force Base.

In September 2002, Basin Electric and FPL Energy launched an 80-Megawatt wind energy project, the largest project in the Dakotas (40 Megawatts in ND and 40 Megawatts in SD). These wind farms have been operational since 2003. More recently, Basin Electric and FPL, the project developer, have started construction of a 50-Megawatt wind energy project southeast of Wilton. This wind farm will deploy 33 large wind turbines and is expected to be up and going by year’s end.

On a separate track, Xcel Energy Company and EHN, the project owner and developer, have started construction of a 12-Megawatt project that will deploy 18 new wind turbines north of Velva, North Dakota. When completed, this wind farm will have the capacity to serve 4,000 to 6,000 homes.

In addition, PPM Energy Incorporated is looking to develop a 150-Megawatt wind project in Rugby. This wind farm would deploy some 100 turbines capable of serving about 150,000 homes, making it the largest wind project in the state. PPM Energy hopes to complete this project sometime in 2006.

I have hosted several wind and renewable energy conferences in the state and have worked with many project partners to encourage wind energy development in our state. Our 2005 renewable energy conference had over 500 registrants from 25 states, the District of Columbia and five Canadian provinces. I hope my next conference will be even more successful.