Kevin O'Dea
District 31 House of Representative

Energy and Natural Resources

Wind Energy

Wind energy is a clean, abundant, affordable energy source. It can help diversify rural economics by providing good paying jobs all across the State, especially Central and Western South Dakota, while keeping farmers and ranchers on their land.  Our great State has tremendous wind energy potential.  In fact, according to the Department of Energy, South Dakota has the potential to generate 566,000 megawatts of wind energy.  Currently, we are producing less than 1/10th of percent of that.  Instead of watching Wyoming and North Dakota reap tremendous benefits from the production of traditional energy resources, we could be leading the region in renewable energy production and powering our economy by generating new jobs and creating new sources of revenue for landowners and the State.
The renewable fuels standard policy is a step in the right direction, but we need to become more competitive with surrounding states with our tax incentives and renewable fuels standards.  By so doing, we can catch up to our neighbors and capitalize on our tremendous potential.

• Wind energy provides clean power and good paying jobs
• Encourage development by examining tax incentive structure and being competitive with surrounding states
• Work with regional partners to develop increased transmission capacity

Ethanol

South Dakota currently produces a tremendous amount of traditional ethanol.  This has been very beneficial to our State’s economy.  The future of this industry lies in increased use of ethanol, especially cellulosic ethanol produced from non-food sources such as switchgrass and forest residues.  We need to encourage increased ethanol use by facilitating the spread of blender pumps and by supporting the research and development of cellulosic production.  A process for converting woody forest biomass into ethanol has been developed by researchers at the School of Mines and Technology.  As companies like this continue to expand, we need to make sure we are encouraging their growth right here in South Dakota.  District 31, Lawrence County, would be the perfect place for such a venture.  We have a well developed timber industry, and using waste products to make ethanol has many benefits, most notably, helping to subsidize forest treatments that protect lives and property from wildfire.  I can’t think of a better scenario.  Homegrown fuel that reduces our dependence on foreign oil, creates jobs, and helps protect us from wildfire. Absolutely perfect.

• Ethanol is important to South Dakota
• Cellulosic ethanol is the future
• Encourage development and use of cellulosic ethanol

Protecting our Natural Resources

Our natural heritage is one of the greatest gifts we have as South Dakotans.  As we continue to develop, we must be vigilant that our actions do not negatively impact our environment.  Development, energy production, and uranium mining are all exciting things.  Action must be taken to insure that these activities are done in a responsible manner that considers not only the immediate impacts, but also the impacts on our grandchildren.

• Our natural heritage is one of the things that make living in South Dakota great.
• We must mitigate the immediate impacts as well as those that will affect our grandchildren
• Government should work with all interested stakeholders to encourage responsible. development and resource production that does not negatively impact our environment.