Black Hills Power, a subsidiary of Black Hills Corp., is asking the South Dakota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) to confirm that a proposed 20 MW wind farm near Belle Fourche, S.D., is reasonable and cost-effective compared to other renewable electricity alternatives, and is an appropriate resource addition to meet the company's resource or customer needs.
The 20 MW wind farm site was developed in part by Renewable Solutions LLC. Work already completed by the developer makes this project, which will complement the utility's existing coal-fired and natural-gas-fired generation fleet, nearly construction-ready, according to Black Hills.
If the declaratory ruling is approved by the PUC, all remaining permits will be obtained and the wind project will begin construction, with commercial operation expected before Dec. 31, 2012.
