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First South Dakota “Wind for Schools” Project Dedicated

FORESTBURG, SD -- In August, Sanborn Central school District received notification that they were the first of the eight schools chosen for the Wind for Schools project. On Oct. 29, their vision became reality. “There has been a whirlwind of activity to take us where we are today,” said Linda Whitney, Sanborn Central superintendent.

The “Wind for Schools” project goals are to engage rural schoolteachers and students in wind energy, to educate college students in wind energy applications and to introduce wind energy to rural communities to initiate discussion of wind energy benefits and challenges.

Students will analyze computer readouts for the 1.8 kW turbine as they learn about energy that can be produced from the wind. Sanborn Central High School Science Teacher Tracy Moody sees the opportunities for student learning as invaluable. “If we can expose our students to technology like this, there are greater chances in the future that children will be interested in wind technology and other alternatives for energy.”

U.S. Sen. John Thune sees great potential for the project. “This is now a resource that is a touchstone and a bridge in my opinion, to South Dakota’s future. This project is about embracing that future and looking to produce more energy here in South Dakota to meet America’s growing demand for energy.”

Thune said that wind energy is a good way to create more energy that is renewable, that reduces our carbon footprint, creates jobs. “I’ve talked to companies not only in the United States, but companies around the world who are interested in investing in wind in South Dakota.”

Ultimately, Thune said this project is about the pursuit of academic excellence. “It’s about exposing young people to new science, new technology, new opportunity to get them prepared and equipped for the challenges of the future so that we can be competitive in the global marketplace.”

East River Electric Assistant General Manager Scott Parsley congratulated Sanborn Central for being first in the state. “I hope this is the beginning of being something very good for the school systems. To give these students an opportunity to see how wind energy works as it’s being developed around this school system is going to be real important for their future.”

Loren Noess, Central Electric general manager, stated the decision to become a partner in the project was an easy one. “Our Board of Directors were fully behind this project.”

The Wind for Schools project is a collaborative effort involving the local school district, the South Dakota Public Utilities Association, the local electric cooperative (in this case, Central Electric), East River Electric Power Cooperative and South Dakota State University.