Featured Articles

We've been having some very nice weather these past few days. The weekend was gorgeous, and today was just out of this world. I went out walking after work and wore shorts and a t-shirt comfortably, even as the sun...

Denise Ross of the Rapid City Journal did an interview with Steve Hildebrand which is posted on Mt. Blogmore. As many suspected, we now know that Theron McChesney of ThuneWatch is an employee of Steve Hildebrand, who is paid by...

The current estimated Powerball lotter jackpot is $340 million dollars, with a cash value of about $164 million. It could very well be more by tonight's drawing. Don't think that I couldn't find a couple of dollars in the cupholder...

Deal 'opens the door' to wind power

DEFINITELY A WIN-WIN-WIN for South Dakota's Economy!

One of the biggest hinderances to the development of more wind power in South Dakota has been a lack of enough transmission line capacity to get the electricity to where it's needed.

There is a positive logic to the addition of a new coal-burning plant also. The US has an abundance of coal, and large deposits of high quality low-sulfur coal are just to the west in Wyoming. There is a synergy that comes into play here with a three-way synergistic development of South Dakota's utility and transportation infrastructure which is catalyzed by the planned construction of a new coal-burning power plant at Big Stone.

The first element of this synergy is the expansion of the DM&E Railroad, which, in spite of the usual opposition from envirowacko activist groups and assorted other NIMBY (Non-In-My-Backyard types pushed through approval of extending it's lines into the Wyoming coal fields, and upgrade of its existing mainlines to handle the greatly increased traffic that results from this. (See note 1 in extended entry) This increases the availability of coal for new plants.

With the abundance of coal, and modern abatement technology, it is possible to burn low-sulfur coal with a minimum amount of air pollution, plus it helps to increase the electric power capacity, which is an essential positive factor for continued economic growth in the area. (See Note 2)

Finally, this proposed coal plant will bring in a significantly serious excess in electrical power transmission capacity, above and beyound the needs of the new plant. This excess capacity is available for the development of large(r) scale wind turbine developments, which (a) provides yet more electricity, (b) is a clean, renewable energy source, and (c) provides yet another boost to the local economic structure.

So, what's the "win-win-win"? More needed electrical power, use of domestic coal instead of imported oil, and the enabled development of even cleaner wind power capacity. Three birds with one "Big Stone". Not too bad.

Via LGF: A DemocraticUnderground poster, featuring a George Galloway avatar, defends referencing Hitler when referencing... well, you know. Why is my head suddenly throbbing? Er, "brain cramp," I suppose....

New results are in from the National Assessment of Education Progress (NAEP). Results are mixed. You can look at state results here, and then gain more details at the offical NAEP site here. First, let's look at South Dakota. That's...

ABC News:Dr./Leader/Sen. Bill Frist is expected to tout his work on judges when he speaks at the Reagan dinner in Iowa. Here is an advance look at what he'll say according to remarks prepared for delivery obtained by ABC News:...

eBay Nation and the Golden Goose

Let's all have a rousing rendition of the old Beatles song TAXMAN!

Okay, not long ago I wrote a column noting that eBay was catching up to WalMart as America's largest employer. I guess that was the kiss of death. At least, now I learn that North Dakota may require people who sell on eBay or other online "auction" sites to get an auctioneer's license.

What a piece of crapola! Read the whole article. Even if it's from the Alliance designated enemy Glenn, it's well worth checking out, since experience teaches that any method one politician figurees out toe increase the take, will rapidly act like a virulent virus and spread to lots of others always on the lookout for an excuse to take a more of our money.

If North Dakota swallows this, it's sure evidence that the weather up there has caused massive brain freeze in the state governmen up there.

A Message from tdaxp

Send feedback to danhabbott@gmail.com

Browse the Archives

What's New with the Blogs

South Dakota Blogs

American Blogs

Pro-Freedom, Anti-Terror

South Dakota Blog Alliance

RadioActive Chief, Ryen McClaren, Sibby Online, South Dakota Politics, Straight Talk

tdaxp Blog Network

Jim River Report, tdaxp, Bloglines, Cobuyitaphobia, Junk Politics

Breaking News

South Dakota Mainstream Media

American Mainstream Media

British Mainstream Media

Everyone Else

Jim River Report Archives

1. today
2. this month
3. this year

How Popular is the Jim River Report?