FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  Feb. 20, 2004
CONTACT: Sam Miller, 406-247-7466, csmiller@wapa.gov or
                      LaVerne Kyriss, 720-962-7051, kyriss@wapa.gov                 
 
  DAKOTAS WIND TRANSMISSION STUDY ANNOUNCED

BILLINGS
, Mont.
—A transmission study to place 500 MW of wind energy in North and South Dakota was announced by Western Area Power Administration at the Conference on Wind Energy and Rural Development in North Dakota V held in Fargo, N.D., on Feb. 19.
 
        Western requests public input to help define the scope of the study. Western seeks information from the public on sites for wind generation projects. Western also wants help from the public to identify potential projects and issues related to transmission interconnections to the North Dakota grid.
 
         Comments may be submitted online by e-mail to: UGPDakotasWindTS@wapa.gov.  Written comments will also be accepted at:
        Western Area Power Administration
        PO Box 35800
        Billings, MT, 59107-5800
        Attn: Dakotas Wind Study
 
        Initial comments are due March 22.
 
 
                                                -30-