Invenergy Celebrates 10 Years of Sponsorship at the Crystal Springs Rodeo

Introduction

As the 79th annual Crystal Springs Rodeo approaches in Clear Lake, South Dakota, Invenergy, a leading clean energy company, marks a decade of sponsorship and active participation in this longstanding Deuel County tradition. This partnership highlights Invenergy’s commitment to sustainable community development aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Invenergy’s Role in Local Sustainable Energy Production

Dan Litchfield, Senior Vice President at Invenergy, emphasized the company’s pride in supporting the Crystal Springs Rodeo for the past ten years. Over this period, Deuel County has experienced significant growth in domestic clean energy production, contributing to SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.

• Invenergy operates the Deuel Harvest Wind Energy Center, which began commercial operations in 2021.
• The company is developing the adjacent South Deuel Wind project.
• Combined, these projects are projected to generate enough electricity to power over 215,000 homes.
• They are expected to contribute more than $7 million annually to Deuel County through lease payments and taxes, supporting SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth.

Community Engagement and Support

Cody Krause, Board President of the Clear Lake Area Development Corporation and the Crystal Springs Rodeo board, acknowledged Invenergy’s valuable partnership. He highlighted how the company’s support helps facilitate one of the largest rodeos in the world, promoting SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities by fostering cultural heritage and community cohesion.

Educational Contributions and Scholarships

In addition to rodeo sponsorship, Invenergy collaborates with local landowners Jim and Linda Dailey and Greg and Darla Toben to support education in Deuel County. Over the past five years, the Invenergy Deuel School Scholarship Program has awarded more than $200,000 in scholarships to graduating seniors and recent graduates from Deuel High School, advancing SDG 4: Quality Education.

Summary of Invenergy’s Contributions Aligned with SDGs

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy – Development and operation of wind energy projects powering over 215,000 homes.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth – Economic contributions exceeding $7 million annually to the local economy.
3. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities – Support of cultural events like the Crystal Springs Rodeo, enhancing community vitality.
4. SDG 4: Quality Education – Provision of over $200,000 in scholarships to local students to foster educational advancement.

Visual Representation

1. Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) Addressed or Connected

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • The article discusses Invenergy’s wind energy projects producing electricity to power over 215,000 homes, highlighting clean energy production.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Contributions of over $7 million annually to Deuel County through lease payments and taxes indicate economic growth and support for local development.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • The Invenergy Deuel School Scholarship Program has awarded over $200,000 in scholarships to local students, supporting education.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Support for the Crystal Springs Rodeo, a significant local cultural event, contributes to community development and sustainability.

2. Specific Targets Under Identified SDGs

1. SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
   • Target 7.2: Increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
   • Target 7.3: Double the global rate of improvement in energy efficiency.
2. SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth
   • Target 8.1: Sustain per capita economic growth in accordance with national circumstances.
   • Target 8.3: Promote development-oriented policies that support productive activities and entrepreneurship.
3. SDG 4: Quality Education
   • Target 4.3: Ensure equal access for all women and men to affordable and quality technical, vocational and tertiary education.
   • Target 4.4: Increase the number of youth and adults with relevant skills for employment.
4. SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
   • Target 11.4: Strengthen efforts to protect and safeguard the world’s cultural and natural heritage.

3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied to Measure Progress

1. SDG 7 Indicators
   • Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption (implied by wind energy production capacity).
   • Indicator 7.1.2: Proportion of population with access to electricity (implied by powering over 215,000 homes).
2. SDG 8 Indicators
   • Indicator 8.1.1: Annual growth rate of real GDP per capita (implied by economic contributions to the county).
   • Indicator 8.3.1: Proportion of informal employment in non-agriculture employment (implied by job creation and economic activity).
3. SDG 4 Indicators
   • Indicator 4.3.1: Participation rate of youth and adults in formal and non-formal education and training (implied by scholarship awards).
   • Indicator 4.4.1: Proportion of youth and adults with ICT skills (implied through educational support).
4. SDG 11 Indicators
   • Indicator 11.4.1: Total expenditure on the preservation, protection and conservation of cultural and natural heritage (implied by support for the rodeo event).

4. Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: mykxlg.com