The South Dakota Public Utilities Commission approved a construction permit for the $700 million Buffalo Ridge II wind farm  it will be built in both Brookings and Deuel counties.

On the Buffalo Ridge II land, it might not look like much now but with the Public Utilities Commission signing off on this project it could soon be host to as many as 204 wind turbines.

"It's time to harvest the wind," said Bob Roelofsen who is a retired farmer who lives 6 miles north of White and will soon be welcoming new neighbors, the wind turbines.  "My first reaction was that's great, for the community and for the nation and for all of us."

The Public Utilities commissioners unanimously voted in favor of this project and Chairman Dusty Johnson says the impact will be larger than these 400 foot towers.  "Well I think there are a couple of really important positives to this project.  The first is going to be landowner payments, you know it's not unusual to hear of payments between $5,000 and $10,000  a turbine," said Johnson.

With up to 204 of these turbines in Brookings and Deuel Counties that's over $1 million but besides the money, Bob Roelofsen is happy with the PUC's decision.  "My reaction to those guys is that they're doing there job very well, I thought they were thorough in their questions at the hearing and now they've talked amongst themselves as I understand and decided that it's a good project and I want to thank them for that."