The South Dakota Wind Energy Association is planning its first membership meeting on Dec. 1 in Pierre.

The keynote speaker will be Larry Flowers, principal project leader for the National Wind Technology Center at the National Renewable Energy Laboratory. Flowers will provide a national perspective on the current and future status of wind energy.

The association's executive director, Steve Wegman, says more than $500 million is being invested over the next 18 to 24 months in wind energy in South Dakota.