The Harrisburg Planning and Zoning Board wants to revise a city ordinance to allow wind turbines to generate power within the city.

At the board's May 14 meeting, Toby Brown of the South Eastern Council of Governments presented handouts referring to two types of wind power generation - "micro" and "small."

The micro turbines are defined as those producing 10 kilowatts or less, with those in the small category producing 50 kilowatts or less. Of the two systems, micro is allowed in residential areas.

Under the proposed ordinance, both micro and small turbines would be allowed after conditional-use permits are secured.

Harrisburg Planning and Zoning Director Albert Schmidt said the board wants to make sure the turbines are the right size and would not crowd the city if built. The turbines also would have to meet Federal Aviation Administration standards.

The Harrisburg School District first discussed wind turbines at a school board meeting last year. The district at the end of January applied for money for a test turbine.

If chosen, Harrisburg will install a 70-foot turbine to generate a small amount of power for the school.

The test turbine could trigger the construction of a larger turbine that would power the new high school entirely.

Colorado has the test turbines now, but this year the program will expand to Nebraska, Kansas, Montana, Idaho and South Dakota.

South Dakota Public Utilities Commissioner Steven Kolbeck said 32 schools applied for the test turbine in South Dakota. He added that, depending on the number of applicants nationwide and how much money is available, South Dakota could get from three to five test turbines.

Kolbeck said these test turbines will help determine whether wind energy is a viable option for certain South Dakota schools.

Brown said turbines are a growing trend.

Schmidt said wind generation gives residents more options, too. With turbines in place, schools and residents would be able to choose whether an energy company or a turbine would save them more money.

Although the initial turbine kick in Harrisburg started in the school district, Schmidt said its scope has grown beyond that.

"I think just even with this idea coming through by itself shows there has been more interest in it than ever before," he said.

The use of turbines in the state also would fill a niche for electrical engineers. Kolbeck said that the next generation of South Dakota engineers will need jobs and that the turbines could help. Students at the chosen schools also could use the turbines as part of the science curriculum.

The city is looking to open each area in Harrisburg to turbines, including the industrial parks.

The next planning and zoning meeting is scheduled for Wednesday. Brown and the board will proceed with proposals at that time. Brown's group then would have to recommend a zoning ordinance to the City Council.