ROGER KASA/PLAINSMAN Ground was broken Monday at the site of the new wind turbine that will be installed north of Sanborn Central School in Forestburg. Among those participating were Cory Weeden, Student Council president; Tracy Moody, science teacher; Brandi Schmit, school board member; Rick Miller, school board chairman; Loren Noess, of Central Electric Cooperative in Mitchell; Murray VanLaecken, school board member; Scott Parsley, East River Electric in Madison; Troy Olson, school board member; and Linda Whitney, superintendent. Behind the dignitaries were Sanborn County School students.

FORESTBURG – A Minnesota contractor began digging a hole for the new wind turbine installation that will be placed north of Sanborn Central School Monday.

L&S Electric of Springfield, Minn., was on hand for the groundbreaking ceremony that included representatives of the school and the various sponsoring agencies.

Linda Whitney, Sanborn Central superintendent, said the total cost of the project is $12,000 with the school responsible for $3,500.

The balance of the funds will come from East River Electric in Madison, Central Electric in Mitchell and the National

Renewable Energy Laboratory.

Whitney said the concrete will be poured and there will be a 30-day wait for the concrete to harden before the wind turbine can be put into the ground.

The wind energy project, the first in a South Dakota school, will enable teachers and students to learn more about this form of energy.

In her introductory remarks, Whitney said the placement of the wind turbine is in the perfect location.

“The students will reap the benefits from this project,” she said. “We are living at a time when we must rely on renewable energy.”

Whitney said this “is another milestone for the Sanborn Central School District.”

She said eight South Dakota schools have been approved for the project, with Sanborn Central being the first to get the turbine.

Loren Noess, of Central Electric Cooperative of Mitchell, said he was pleased to “be a part of this historic occasion.”

He said wind is a good renewable source of energy and the installation of the wind turbine will allow the school to cut back on the use of foreign oil.

Scott Parsley, of East River Electric in Madison, asked how many people over 30 had cell phones when they were high school.

He asked the people to raise their hands. No one did.

Then he asked the students if they had cell phones and nearly every hand went up.

He said this is a good opportunity to hear about a new source of energy. “South Dakota is one of the best wind states in the nation,” he said.

“We’re taking a risk today by spending money to see if this will work,” he said. “Come back in 30 days and see if it works.”

Tracy Moody, Sanborn Central science teacher, said this is the perfect time to install the wind turbine.

She said the students will be learning about an alternative source of energy and, perhaps, some will decide to pursue it as a career.

Information will also be available to parents on the internet, she added.

In conclusion, Whitney said the school “wants to educate the students, teachers and parents.”

She expressed her appreciation to the school board for approving the project.

Cory Weeden, Student Council president, said, “It’s exciting for us to be a part of South Dakota’s renewable energy program.”

He also noted that South Dakota “has plenty of wind,” and he expressed his thanks on behalf of the students.

The turbine that will be used is a model Skystream 3.7 residential wind turbine. It is manufactured by Southwest Windpower of Flagstaff, Ariz.

The turbine will be mounted on a 50 to 70 foot tower.

The “Winds for Schools” project is made possible by the support of Central Electric Cooperative of Mitchell, East River of Madison, South Dakota Public Utilities Commission and South Dakota State University.

Another school that has been approved is Mitchell Vo-Tech Institute.