"America needs to diversify the energy sources that fuel over everyday lives. I believe South Dakota wind power can be a cheap, clean and renewable energy source that will help meet our growing domestic energy needs," said Thune. "I am working to create incentives for investment in projects like the one in Wessington Springs, so that the wind energy industry in South Dakota and beyond can take the next step forward."
Earlier this month, Senator Thune joined a bipartisan group of Senators in unveiling the New Energy Reform Act of 2008, which includes Senator Thune's provision to extend the production tax credit for wind energy for four years. Senator Thune also included a provision to expand the transmission infrastructure for wind energy.
Senator Thune was joined at the Wessington Springs Wind Project by Heartland Consumers Power District CEO Mike McDowell and Heartland employees Russ Olson and Danielle Rosheim. Also joining Senator Thune was Greg Vavra, the Wessington Springs Council President, and Ray Garcia and Beth O'Brien of Babcock and Brown, a leading wind energy developer.