ph_MikeRounds.jpg

Michael Rounds was sworn in as South Dakota’s 31st governor on January 7, 2003.

Energy is an area holding tremendous opportunity for our state. I am very proud of South Dakota’s confidence in and promotion of renewable energy. I believe that by taking a careful and comprehensive look at both traditional and renewable energy resources, we can become a major player in our region. Of course, the question isn’t just how much energy we can produce, but then how can we transport that energy to the markets that need it.   

In July 2004, I organized a special Energy Task Force to examine:

• new and existing electricity markets

• power plants’ and wind farms’ regional tax structures

• new transmission infrastructure

• wind leases in the upper Midwest

• interstate cooperation

• future energy development

We are also researching South Dakota’s potential to produce alternative forms of energy, such as anaerobic digesters and geothermal power. With our tremendous resources, we have the potential to become a major exporter of clean energy sources, such as ethanol and biodiesel, which will help our economy, energy security, and the environment.