MITCHELL, S.D. -- Alternate sites near Winner and White Lake are being considered for a wind farm that would have at least 100 turbines.

Prairie Winds, a subsidiary of Basin Electric Power, is the developer and has been in talks with commissioners from the two counties involved.

"I honestly think that if a wind farm wanted to come here, you could put a wind turbine on every ... property in Tripp County without a problem," said Tripp County Commissioner Tresh Swedlund.

One possible location consists of 37,000 acres about 15 miles north of White Lake, including land in Brule, Aurora and Jerauld counties. Power would be transmitted through the Western Area Power Administration's electric transmission system at the Wessington Springs Substation in Jerauld County.

The other location eight miles south of Winner is on approximately 83,000 acres. If built there, the wind farm would connect with WAPA's electric transmission system at the Winner Substation.

Aurora County Commissioner Oscar Thompson said he's heard from landowners in support of the project and said he was surprised to learn another location was being considered.

"Whatever it takes, we said we'd be glad to cooperate," Thompson said. "I wish it was a done deal."

Public meetings on the project are planned April 28 in Winner and April 29 in Plankinton.