The Rosebud Sioux Tribe of South Dakota installed the first wind turbine in Indian Country.

Tribal officials decided to tap into the natural resource after learning that wind on the reservation could theoretically provide power to one-twelfth of the U.S. They also wanted a cheaper and cleaner alternative to the coal utility they currently depend on.

At a cost of $1.2 million, financed through government and private sources, the tribe completed construction on the 750-kilowatt, 190-foot-tall wind turbine. The turbine has enough power for 220 homes. A 30-megawatt wind farm with 18 wind turbines is in the works.

Get the Story:
Turning Point (Fortune Magazine February 2005)

Relevant Links:
Rosebud Sioux Tribe - http://www.rosebudsiouxtribe-nsn.gov

Related Stories:
Lower Brule Sioux Tribe developing wind farm (12/07)
Fond du Lac Band explores alternative energy (11/29)
Oglala Lakota College turns to wind energy (11/22)
California tribes to host large wind power plant (10/04)