Regulators approve Wisconsin utility's wind farm in Minnesota
State regulators have given a Wisconsin utility permission to build a giant wind farm in southern Minnesota.
Wisconsin Power & Light Co. plans to build the farm on 32,500 acres just north of Albert Lea in Freeborn County. The first phase of the farm calls for about 120 turbines that would generate about 200 megawatts of electricity. That’s enough to power 50,000 homes.
The Wisconsin Public Service Commission voted 3-0 Thursday to approve the project. The panel has jurisdiction because the rate increases would affect Wisconsin consumers.
WP&L still needs approval from Minnesota regulators.
The project is expected to cost nearly $500 million. WP&L plans to recover some of the cost through $91.7 million in electric and natural-gas rate increases next year.
Associated Press
9 July 2009
Tags: Wind power, Wind energy
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