Comments on: South Dakota Legislature Kneecapping State's Wind Potential

By: Dave Morrow

Dave Morrow — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:59:39 +0000

I would imagine that these tax proposals are supported or even initiated by coal industry lobbyists. It reeks of back room dealing actually. That said, hopefully legislators will realize that wind projects increase the tax base in rural areas, provide good paying head-of-household type jobs, and insulate the state from changes in fossil fuel prices. A good tax base means better schools, and the jobs mean stable families, both are key to protecting small towns in the heartland.

By: Dave Morrow

Dave Morrow — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 23:59:00 +0000

By: Concerned

Concerned — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:56:44 +0000

Republicans dragging their feet against progress – really? It’s too bad the ‘Anti Obama’ party is so heavily invested in defeating so many critical initiatives that are overdue in this country. God have mercy on His misguided children.

By: Concerned

Concerned — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 17:56:00 +0000

By: Steve Wegman

Steve Wegman — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:21:02 +0000

South Dakota does not have income tax but a 4 percent sale and use tax and 2 percent contractor excise tax. The refund is for projects that cost over 10 million dollars, you pay on the first 10 million and your project may be eligible for a refund.

When doing a large capital project in South Dakota, you will need to capitalize the 6 percent tax, that means it may be cheaper do projects in Minnesota, Iowa or North Dakota. The current program really is an interest-free loan to the State of South Dakota on large capital projects that are going to be built somewhere.

By: Steve Wegman

Steve Wegman — Sun, 07 Mar 2010 00:21:00 +0000

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:22:27 +0000

Great points Paul. That lack of population is what makes it hard to develop all the empty windy states. I think its a good investment for the nation as a whole, and why I suggest to Steve that we use the Federal funding to make up the difference. (The Feds helped in developing the railroad and the oil pipelines and dirty energy infrastructure that make it a dirty energy state currently.)

We’ll all benefit with clean energy if we unleash the potential of our wind giant states. But, yeah, South Dakota has almost no tax base to develop it on their own.

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Sat, 06 Mar 2010 17:22:00 +0000

We’ll all benefit with clean energy if we unleash the potential of our wind giant states. But, yeah, South Dakota has almost no tax base to develop it on their own.

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:11:24 +0000

BTW the population of South Dakota is 804,194 and 40% of that total are either under 18 or over 65 (i.e. not tax payers)

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:11:00 +0000

BTW the population of South Dakota is 804,194 and 40% of that total are either under 18 or over 65 (i.e. not tax payers)

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:04:37 +0000

I don’t mean to be a contrarian here but tax money doesn’t grow on trees.

Perhaps South Dakota with a relatively small rural population (read: small tax base) can’t actually AFFORD to “refund” a huge influx of “cheap” $300 million projects.

These are meant to be commercial ventures aren’t they, with commercial risk? Can’t expect tax payers to pick up the tab on everything!

By: Paul

Paul — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 23:04:00 +0000

I don’t mean to be a contrarian here but tax money doesn’t grow on trees.

Perhaps South Dakota with a relatively small rural population (read: small tax base) can’t actually AFFORD to “refund” a huge influx of “cheap” $300 million projects.

These are meant to be commercial ventures aren’t they, with commercial risk? Can’t expect tax payers to pick up the tab on everything!

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:48:55 +0000

Thank you Steve.

What do you think the chances are that this is just about money? If so, have you looked into replacing state tax credits (lack of) with Federal Recovery Act funding?

Here’s a very direct link for anyone wanting to comment: In the drop down topic box, scroll down to choose “Business tax”

http://www.sd.gov/feedback/topic.aspx?url=http://www.sd.gov/

By: Susan Kraemer

Susan Kraemer — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 19:48:00 +0000

Thank you Steve.

What do you think the chances are that this is just about money? If so, have you looked into replacing state tax credits (lack of) with Federal Recovery Act funding?

Here’s a very direct link for anyone wanting to comment: In the drop down topic box, scroll down to choose “Business tax”

http://www.sd.gov/feedback/topic.aspx?url=http://www.sd.gov/

By: Steve Wegman

Steve Wegman — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:44:51 +0000

This is a sad state of affairs. Why would you try to injure a industry that is trying to help your state.

If you want to help us please contact the State Legislature and its leaders at http://www.sd.gov

Thanks,

Steve Wegman

By: Steve Wegman

Steve Wegman — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 17:44:00 +0000

This is a sad state of affairs. Why would you try to injure a industry that is trying to help your state.

If you want to help us please contact the State Legislature and its leaders at http://www.sd.gov

Thanks,

Steve Wegman

By: Mridul Chadha

Mridul Chadha — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:02:26 +0000

Last year we saw several countries announcing billions dollar stimulus packages specifically for the renewable energy sector. China, Japan and South Korea all announced packages close to $400-500 billion but there was no such announcement from the US. These countries recognized that economic slowdown as an opportunity to lay the foundation for energy security and economic prosperity through renewable energy infrastructure.

Foreign scholars coming to my university emphasize on the need for the US to revamp its power grid in order to tap full potential of renewable sources, but I believe that after the initial talks of spending billions on infrastructure projects, like building a smart grid no concentre investments of actions have been taken.

Lately, the politicians have been announcing policies which completely isolate the US from rest of the world in terms of promoting renewable energy. Be it cap and trade, regulating carbon emissions or supporting renewable energy projects. If this continues, US might lose its strategic, economic and technological edge very soon.

By: Mridul Chadha

Mridul Chadha — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 03:02:00 +0000