Jun 5 - McClatchy-Tribune Regional News - ANDREW LAMBERSON American News, Aberdeen, S.D.



Energy reform is happening in South Dakota.

A panel hosted Friday at the Brown County Courthouse by Repower South Dakota featured speakers in support of clean energy for the state.

Matt McGovern, South Dakota's director for the larger Repower America, led the panel consisting of state Rep. Jason Frerichs of Wilmot, Matt McLarty of the Environmental Law and Policy Center in Sioux Falls and Craig Schaunaman, state director of the Farm Service Agency.

About 20 people attended.

 "A clean energy economy is really a win-win for South Dakota," McGovern said. "It will create jobs, reduce dependency on foreign oil and really reduce dependency on any oil in the long run."

The panel devoted much of the time to pushing wind energy.

"South Dakota doesn't produce coal or oil -- South Dakota produces wind," McGovern said.

Spectators were able to ask questions after the panel's initial statements. Among them was state Rep. Dennis Feickert, who is also a farmer.

"What society is going to benefit from this isn't going to be a cheaper cost," Feickert said, "but why we're doing what we're doing is for the next generation."

Another spectator, Peter Carrels of the Sierra Club, said he works exclusively with energy issues.

"We're (at) an interesting crossroads right now with energy," Carrels said. "We're starting to recognize the liabilities and shortcomings in fossil fuels. We're also starting to articulate the value of cleaner forms of energy."

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