Dakota Wind Energy, LLC, has announced plans to form South Dakota’s first utility scale community-owned wind project. The project has the potential of generating 750 megawatts of energy and will spread over 700 square miles of farmland in Roberts, Marshall, and Day counties.
This press release from the company says it will take advantage of the under-used wind power South Dakota offers:
According to the American Wind Energy Association (AWEA), South Dakota ranks 4th in the nation with the greatest wind potential. However, when compared to other states, South Dakota‟s current installed wind power capacity is very low.
The Dakota Wind Energy LLC was conceptualized by South Dakota landowner, Gerry Fisher. National Wind, the project’s manager, local landowners and community leaders have capitalized the company. Dakota Wind Energy, LLC has formed a members advisory board which includes nine of the South Dakota landowners/co-founders. These board members are, Donald Erickson, Dennis Fagerland, Gerry Fisher, Blair Healy, Tim Hofer, Walt Johnson, Bob Metz, Don Ogren, and Curt Sampson. Additional landowners and local community members will become owners as the project develops.
“For community-wind projects, such as Dakota Wind Energy, size does matter. Utilities and institutional investors prefer large community-owned wind projects because they have the local support needed to move smoothly through permitting, site control, and power line siting,” says Patrick Pelstring, co-chair of National Wind. “This increases their likelihood of completion and gives projects such as Dakota Wind Energy, a competitive advantage. Large community wind projects also have the capital available to afford the high costs related to wind developments of any size, including building a private transmission line, which can cost millions of dollars,” says Pelstring.
The project could produce enough energy to power more than 200,000 homes.
Safeway, one of the largest food and drug retailers in the nation, has announced it will fuel its entire U.S. fleet of trucks with 20 percent biodiesel.
“We commend Safeway for showing leadership in true corporate sustainability,” said Joe Jobe, CEO of the National Biodiesel Board. “The company is also reducing its dependence on foreign oil and helping to stimulate a domestic energy economy. We encourage other large retailers to follow this example.”
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2008 is shaping up to be the “Year of E85.” Ethanol Promotion and Information Council Marketing Director Reece Nanfito was at the media preview for the big auto show in Detroit this week where big announcements were made regarding ethanol and ethanol-powered vehicles. 
It looks like former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney will win the Michigan primary. So, as I have done for other candidates as they have won caucuses and primaries, I’m posting some of the winner’s thoughts on renewable energy.
Missouri Governor Matt Blunt wants a 5 percent biodiesel standard for his state.
Blunt’s announcement was welcomed by the Missouri Soybean Association, which pointed out that in 2008, biodiesel production in the state is expected to reach at least 125 million gallons… more than enough to meet the 60 million gallon mark a 5 percent biodiesel mandate would produce. If passed, Missouri would be the first state to pass and implement a B5 standard. Minnesota has a 2 percent mandate already in effect, while Louisiana, Oregon, and Washington are waiting for production targets to be met before implementing their 2 percent biodiesel standards. 
The Iowa Renewable Fuels Association is inviting everyone to its 2nd Annual Iowa Renewable Fuels Summit, January 31st, 2008 at the Polk County Convention Complex in Des Moines, Iowa.
Large-scale community-based wind power generation company National Wind has opened up a new office at the company’s corporate center in Grand Forks, North Dakota.
Debbie Jacklitch-Kuiken is a graduate meteorologist and mechanical engineer and will serve as a senior wind analyst. She has conducted wind resource assessments on over 100 projects and has taught six courses on wind assessment.
Fred Romuld is a graduate mechanical engineer with an extensive construction background. Romuld has analyzed wind data and supervised the erection of meteorological towers in seven states and Canada. Two additional employees were added to National Wind Assessment’s Minneapolis location, Ryan Jakubov, a graduate meteorologist and wind analyst and Ben Ransom, a renewable energy business analyst.
The 
CFDC and NEVC will work with ethanol producers and E85 distributors and marketers to conduct a series of workshops covering a variety of subjects that will improve opportunities for direct E85 marketing. As the prime recipient of the grant, the Nebraska Ethanol Board will administer the project. One-day workshops, expected to begin in the second quarter of the year, will cover EPA storage requirements, fuel tax incentives, ethanol safety and handling training, and E85 brand awareness.