USDA awards grant to build wind turbines in SD

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (AP) – A grant from the U.S. Department of Agriculture will help cover the costs of installing wind turbines in an effort to reduce energy costs on South Dakota's Indian reservations

Under Secretary for Rural Development Dallas Tonsager announced that Sacred Power Corporation was awarded $395,000 to install up to 20 1.8 kW wind turbines on low-income reservations in the state through the USDA's High Energy Cost grant program.

Sacred Power is a Native American-owned renewable energy system manufacturer based in Albuquerque, N.M. The company will hire and train tribal members for the installation and maintenance of the wind turbines.