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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Thursday, Dec. 4, 2008                              
CONTACT:  Leah Mohr, Communications Manager, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission, (605) 773-3201

FPL Energy commits funds to Wind for Schools program

PIERRE, S.D. – FPL Energy, developer of South Dakota's first major wind farm, has pledged $10,000 to support the South Dakota Wind for Schools program, the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission announced. FPL Energy joins Babcock & Brown and Iberdrola Renewables in providing funds to defray some construction expenses associated with installing small wind turbines at schools participating in the program.

FPL Energy owns and operates the South Dakota Wind Energy Center in Hyde County. The 27-turbine project was the state's first commercial wind farm when it began operating in 2003.

Eight school districts are participating in the Wind for Schools program including Sanborn Central in Forestburg, Douglas in Box Elder, Faith, Selby, Aberdeen, Elkton, Stanley County and Memorial Middle School in Sioux Falls. The 1.8-kilowatt turbines and accompanying science curriculum are intended to provide hands-on alternative energy education to students.

"We are grateful to FPL Energy for their generous support of the Wind for Schools program," said PUC Chairman Gary Hanson. "It's clear that we have a very strong wind energy industry in South Dakota."

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