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Sacred Heart Monastery
2007-11-04
Story by Barbara Ricord
Photos by Sacred Heart Monastery
If fully developed, wind energy in North Dakota could supply 36 percent of all of the electricity needs for the United States. Leading the way into a wind generated future are the Benedictine Sisters at Sacred Heart Monastery in Richardton, North Dakota.
These Sisters have a strong commitment to rural life, the land and a healthy environment. Their desire to care for the earth, considered a precious gift from God, was part of the reason they put up two wind turbines in 1997. Their other motivation was to control their unpredictable, and continuously rising, electric bills.
Within a year of installation, the turbines were supplying 42 percent of the monastery’s energy needs. The Sisters could not be happier. Not only is this venture compatible with their beliefs and lifestyle, they are raising awareness of an important issue. They hope their success with wind will encourage others to look at this renewable energy source as a clean and viable alternative to our energy needs and as a path towards true energy independence.
