SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO AM) - The Trump administration relaxed federal regulations on coal fired power plants but a member of the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission says wind production continues expanding.
Commissioner Chris Nelson says many utilities are moving toward cleaner plans to generate electricity.
Nelson says as wind production becomes an attractive option, companies still rely on natural gas powered peaking plants.
He says, believe it or not, the wind doesn't blow all the time in South Dakota. He says that demands some kind of generation in the background "ready to fill in those valleys when the wind is not blowing." Nelson says natural gas is one of the best ways of doing that because those plants can easily be ramped up or down.
Proposed wind farms in Lincoln, Bon Homme and Charles Mix counties are facing stiff local opposition. Nelson says the projects may need to display some flexibility to arrive at a compromise with residents.
He says the PUC has not officially seen plans for those proposed projects. The Commission has not had an opportunity to fully adjudicate a permit application at any of the sites. Nelson thinks "it remains to be seen how that will all play out."
Lincoln County Commissioners recently, again, delayed a decision about setbacks for wind towers in their county.
(Thanks Jerry Oster, WNAX Yankton)
