Deuel Wind Development Directory

Wind Development is on it’s way in Deuel County, and by golly, we’re gettin’ ready for it. There should be somewhere in the neighboorhood of 200 – 250 workers coming through Deuel over about a 1-year timeframe for each development, and this presents a significant potential for economic impact on Deuel County and its communities. We’ve also been told by the wind developers that they will be utilizing local contractors and services to as much of an extent as possible. And we’re going to make it as easy for them as possible for them to do so.

To do that, we’re in the process of putting together two brochures: 1) Local Contractors (directed towards project & construction managers), and 2) General Deuel Area Directory (directed towards the construction workers). You are welcome to review these brochures and let me know with feedback, correction, or additional items that should be included! Click on the link to download the .pdf version.

Deuel Area Directory_Local Contractors

 

 

 

 

 

 

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The Wind Energy Industry is Growing in Gary!

ARI Safety & Technical Training

 South Dakota ranks fourth in the nation for wind energy potential, as a result the State of South Dakota and Deuel County have begun to see this resource as a potential economic spring board for the future of our region. Organizations and individuals throughout the region are energized to respond to the opportunity.  The State has established new legislation to disburse wind power tax. Deuel County residents have begun to take advantage of the tools needed to harness this invisible resource through lease agreements with wind developers. Meteorological towers used for wind data collection are springing across Deuel County as developers and turbine manufacturers plan future wind parks. We see constant reminders of the potential of wind energy in South Dakota as massive wind turbine blades and tower sections are hauled up and down the I-29 Corridor, and we hear catch phrases in the media such as ‘green’, ‘renewable.’ Have you ever wondered how a person might land a ‘green collar job’ or better yet, make a career out of ‘roping-the-wind?’ Air Streams Renewables, Inc (ARI) is a great place to start, and beginning in September 2009 a portion of that wind energy training will take place right here Gary, South Dakota. 

ARI Safety Training

ARI is a renewable energy education and training company, with deep roots in the wind industry. Headquartered in Tehachapi, California, ARI offers training and educational programs that are designed to transfer ARI knowledge (over 200 years of combined experience) of the renewable energy industry to individuals and industry companies. Since 2003, ARI has provided training through safety-focused and skill-based programs. These programs ensure that individuals and organizations are properly trained in safety and technical areas of this emerging industry.

Renewable energy education is in high demand and waiting lists at educational institutions are common.  ARI courses in Tehachapi CA are booked months in advance, and rather than turning students away, ARI decided to expand into the Midwest. The expansion provides an opportunity for individuals and organizations that may be experiencing displacement or business model changes to reemerge in a new and exciting industry. ARI seeks to develop a ‘National University’ type educational center with satellite offices around the country.

ARI training can be sought by individuals or industry companies.  Individuals may elect to invest in their own education to make themselves more competitive in the employment marketplace.  ARI also works with industry organizations, such as turbine manufacturers, wind park service and maintenance companies, wind turbine construction companies, educational institutions and emergency service personnel.  These industry organizations look to ARI to train their employees initially, annually, and to provide advanced training sessions.  According to Barry Morris, the Midwest Director of Training based in Gary, “the renewable industry needs people of all skills sets to make it successful and viable, from entry level to highly skilled technicians, everyone is needed.”

Wind Farms are coming to Deuel

So, how does ARI training work?  The training is conducted in modules and is based on the customer needs, whether it be high level skills or basic entry level training.  One or two classes per month offered, and each class consist of a 10 day Safety and 10 day Technical training segments. ARI also plans to hold night classes to allow people with commitments during the day to access training at a time that is best suited for busy schedules.  

Why Gary and Howard, South Dakota, you ask?  Location, location, location.  In Gary, a portion of the Buffalo Ridge Resort Business Center’s Administration Building is being transformed into a training facility. This four-story building is an ideal environment for year-round hands-on safety training.  The conference room in the Buffalo Ridge’s Woodbury Hall will be utilized for classroom work.  Preparations are well underway with the first training course set for September 2009.  In Howard, ARI will partner with the Rural Learning Center for distance learning capabilities and conference and training center facilities in order to develop our region into the ‘gold standard’ for renewable energy education.

ARI will be a great asset to South Dakota, and directly to Deuel and Miner Counties. The company will produce new jobs and provide an ongoing boost to the local economies as ARI customers will need places to eat, places to stay, and entertainment and recreational activities.  Consider how ARI training may be an opportunity for you or your business to grow.  Let’s take ARI’s lead in being proactive, and harness some of the economic energy that the wind industry brings into our area!

Welcome to South Dakota, Air Streams!  We’re glad to have you here.

ARI featured on Fox News: http://www.foxnews.com/search-results/m/21983598/risky-business.htm

ARI featured on BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/world_news_america/7960093.stm

Click Here for the ARI website.

Iberdrola Wind Development – Construction Permit Granted

Fair winds are prevailing in Deuel County with the recent PUC construction permit approval for the Buffalo Ridge II wind farm.  This project, approximately 77-acre in size in northeastern Brookings and southeastern Deuel Counties is being developed by Iberdrola Renewables (a Spanish company).  The majority of the project will lie in Brookings County, and depending on the size of the turbines allocated to the project, Buffalo Ridge II may eek into Deuel Counties as well. 

Either way, it’s no doubt that Deuel County will see turbines in the coming years with the two major wind developers present in the area - Iberdrola Renewables and NextEra Energy (formerly Florida Power & Light, the development in the northwestern part of the county).  Iberdrola is also working on an additional development north of Buffalo Ridge II, the majority of which will likely fall within Deuel County, although this project is further down the road and not within the current permit application. 

According to Tim Seck, Project Manager for the Iberdrola development, it will be a couple more months before we know any more details about the project as Iberdrola’s internal decisions and turbine allocations are yet to be determined and finalized.  Once we have this information, we will be able to move our local preparation efforts for the construction phase into full swing.  So hang on to your hat… it’ll be here before we know it.

Here’s the press release on the granted construction permit.

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, April 21, 2009
MEDIA CONTACT: Leah Mohr, Communications Manager, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201

 

 

 

PUC gives approval to state’s largest wind farm

PIERRE, S.D. – The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission today approved a permit for the state’s largest wind farm to be built in Brookings and Deuel counties. Iberdrola Renewables received the go-ahead to construct and operate the Buffalo Ridge II wind farm, which will be capable of producing up to 306 megawatts of electricity.

The number of turbines erected will range from 127 to 204, depending upon the type the company selects. The project also includes a substation in Oak Lake Township and a 13-mile 115-kilovolt transmission line. Iberdrola intends to deliver power to customers served by the Midwest Independent System Operator.

All three commissioners, Dusty Johnson, Steve Kolbeck and Gary Hanson, voted to approve the project during the PUC’s regular commission meeting April 21 in Pierre. Iberdrola submitted the application to the PUC in October 2008. The process leading up to the commission’s decision included a public input hearing in January and a formal hearing last week. Both hearings were held in Brookings.

“Buffalo Ridge II will double the amount of wind energy currently produced in South Dakota,” said Dusty Johnson, PUC chairman. “That is significant growth of an industry that produces renewable energy, brings construction and support jobs to our communities, and adds to the counties’ tax base.”

Iberdrola estimates the entire capital cost of the project at more than $620 million and expects to begin construction this year and operation in December 2010.

“This major project accelerates development of South Dakota’s wind resource,” remarked Steve Kolbeck, commission vice chairman. “South Dakota’s wind is starting to materialize. This is a huge step forward for our environment and our state.”

Commissioner Gary Hanson concurred with his colleagues’ comments. “This is responsible energy development,” he said. “South Dakota’s elected officials and wind developers have overcome significant obstacles and handicaps in order to bring this project to fruition.”

Buffalo Ridge II will be the sixth major wind energy project in South Dakota. Other projects in operation and their respective power capacities include the South Dakota Wind Energy Center in Hyde County with 40.5 megawatts; MinnDakota Wind Farm in Brookings County, 54 megawatts; Tatanka Wind Farm in McPherson County, 88.5 megawatts; Wessington Springs Wind Project in Jerauld County, 51 megawatts; and Buffalo Ridge I in Brookings County with 50.4 megawatts.

Buffalo Ridge II is Iberdrola Renewables’ third wind energy project in South Dakota. The company also operates the MinnDakota and Buffalo Ridge I projects in Brookings County.

To review the PUC’s docket in this case, visit the Web site at www.puc.sd.gov. Select “Commission Actions” at the top of the page, then “Commission Dockets,” “Electric Dockets,” “2008 Electric Dockets” and “EL08-031.”