Legislature Overturns Veto on Wind Energy Legislation
Air Date:03/29/2010
By Jenifer Jones
The state legislature decided to give a bill that provides certain tax refunds for new or expanded wind energy facilities a second chance by overturning the Governor's veto.
Governor Mike Rounds says House Bill 1060 is unfair because it gives special treatment to wind energy facilities. He also says that when the state is finding it difficult to balance the budget, it's unwise to lose dollars to refund programs like these. But proponents of the measure like Representative Bernie Hunhoff say it's important to target the wind industry.
"The wind energy industry offers amazing potential for South Dakota," Hunhoff says. "It's the fastest growing source of electricity in the nation, probably in the world. It's grown by eight times in the last eight years. This is an amazing moment, an amazing opportunity for South Dakota."
Hunhoff says that South Dakota has the fourth highest wind energy potential, but the state is no where near the fourth highest in production. He says it's important to send the message that legislators want developers to come to the state.
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