Obstacles remain for wind energy projects in South Dakota

A one-year extension of a federal wind energy tax credit could provide a jolt for the wind industry, but developers say other obstacles remain in South Dakota.

The wind energy industry had been stalled because of uncertainty over whether the tax break would be extended. The extension was included in legislation to avert the so-called “fiscal cliff.”

Adam Sokolski with Iberdrola Renewables tells the Argus Leader newspaper (http://argusne.ws/V0TRSY) that although South Dakota has the fifth-most wind potential in the country, it also has one of the least-inviting tax structures in the region.

Voters last November also rejected a program that would have awarded grants to companies that bring large, capital-intensive projects to South Dakota. Sokolski says the wind industry will lobby the Legislature for something to replace that program.

Information from: Argus Leader, http://www.argusleader.com