Eds: APNewsNow. Will be led.

MITCHELL, S.D. (AP) A spokesman for Gov. Mike Rounds says South Dakota's wind industry may be "sidetracked" by the recent termination of plans to build a coal-fired power plant in the northeastern part of the state.

Press Secretary Joe Kafka says Rounds the failure of the proposed Big Stone II coal-fired power plant is a setback to wind energy because the plant had extra transmission capacity that could have carried wind power to large markets outside the state.

Kafka says plans for future wind energy projects might become sidetracked.

South Dakota is ranked No. 4 nationally in potential wind-energy capacity, but only No. 20 in actual capacity from existing wind turbines.

Information from: The Daily Republic, http://www.mitchellrepublic.com (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.) APNP 11-18-09 1116CST | save this article / add to your favorites list