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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Friday, Nov. 16, 2007

CONTACT: Katie Kalinowski, Senior Outreach Coordinator, National Wind Coordinating Collaborative, RESOLVE, phone: (202) 965-6383; e-mail: kkalinowski@resolv.org

Wind energy is focus of Nov. 29-30 event in Sioux Falls

PIERRE, S.D. – Various perspectives will be shared at a Nov. 29-30 event titled "Wind Energy & Transmission: The South Dakota Landscape" at the Sioux Falls Convention Center. The conference begins at 1 p.m., Thursday, Nov. 29 and adjourns at 2 p.m. Friday, Nov. 30.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Gary Hanson is a member of the National Wind Coordinating Collaborative, which is co-sponsoring the event with the American Wind Energy Association. Commissioner Hanson is also a featured speaker. "We will hear presentations on transmission and wind energy development as they relate to South Dakota's resources," stated Hanson. "Anyone interested in wind energy is sure to come away with greater insight into what opportunities exist in South Dakota for this renewable energy."  Other event co-sponsors include the Energy and Environmental Research Center, Great River Energy, MidAmerican Energy, Midwest Independent System Operator, National Conference of State Legislatures, NorthWestern Energy, Otter Tail Power Company, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, Touchstone Energy Cooperatives of South Dakota, and Western Area Power Administration. 

U.S. Senator John Thune will provide a keynote presentation.

Other speakers and moderators include South Dakota PUC Commissioners Dusty Johnson and Steve Kolbeck, South Dakota Lt. Gov. Dennis Daugaard, South Dakota State Rep. Joel Dykstra, and South Dakota State Sen. Dave Knudson. Attendees will hear presentations from representatives of the Utility Wind Integration Group, U.S. Department of Energy, National Renewable Energy Laboratory, Intertribal Council on Utility Policy, Midwest Independent System Operator, Wisconsin Public Service Commission, Minnesota Public Utilities Commission, North Dakota Public Service Commission, and the South Dakota Energy Infrastructure Authority.

Power generating organizations providing perspectives on transmission include Clipper Windpower, Xcel Energy, Great River Energy, Western Area Power Administration, Heartland Consumers Power District, NorthWestern Energy, and Otter Tail Power Company. 

Landowners, public officials and others interested in transmission influences on wind energy development are encouraged to attend. Registration and conference information can be found online at www.nationalwind.org.

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