Wind Power News: Minnesota
These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch to help keep readers informed about developments related to industrial wind energy. They are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Appellate court will hear Goodhue County wind project case
ST. PAUL — The AWA Goodhue wind project will visit a new venue Wednesday when the Minnesota Court of Appeals hears oral arguments on the hot-button issue. At stake is the future of the $180-million, 32,000-acre development planned near Zumbrota. The citizens opposition group called Coalition for Sensible Siting has filed an appeal challenging the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission’s decision to grant a site permit for the wind project, arguing that the PUC didn’t have “good cause” to override local . . .
Minnesota PUC approves segment of huge transmission project
Another leg of a spider web of 700 miles of high voltage power lines that will transform the upper Midwest’s transmission landscape was approved by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week. In approving a 150-mile segment of CapX2020 that places a 345 kilovolt (kV) line from Hampton in Dakota County to Alma, Wis., the PUC on April 12 dismissed two changes recommended by a state administrative law judge in February. The judge, Kathleen Sheehy, had recommended the Highway . . .
Eagle count critical for Red Wing wind farm permit
There are 10 active eagle nests and many more of the protected birds flying through the neighborhood of a controversial wind farm proposed for Goodhue County, according to a new count that may prove critical to the project’s future. The number of birds could determine whether the developer, AWA Goodhue Wind, will be one of the nation’s first wind farms to get a federal “incidental take” license to legally kill or injure a specified number of eagles. Such permits are . . .
AWA Goodhue construction pushed back — but still on track for 2012
ZUMBROTA — The construction timeline for the AWA Goodhue wind project has apparently been bumped back a month — from June to July — but developers of the 78-megawatt project maintain it will still be operational by December to qualify for millions via the federal production tax credit, which expires after this year. That was the message delivered last week by Minneola Township clerk Sarah Pettit, who had received an update from National Wind CEO Peter Mastic. Mastic did not . . .
Construction of controversial AWA Goodhue wind project pushed back
The construction timeline for the AWA Goodhue wind project near Zumbrota has apparently been bumped back a month – from June to July – but developers of the 78-megawatt project maintain it will still be operational by December to qualify for millions via the federal production tax credit, which expires after this year. That was the message delivered last week by Minneola Township clerk Sarah Pettit, who had received an update from National Wind CEO Peter Mastic. Mastic did not . . .
As the turbine turns: Rural Electric customers pay the price for renewable energy mandate
“Paying for wind we don’t need, can’t use and can’t sell” Taxpayers already pay a high price to subsidize wind energy through billions in federal grants, loan guarantees and tax credits that prop up the “windustry”. Now the bill for state renewable energy mandates is coming due with hundreds of thousands of Minnesota electric co-op and utility customers picking up the tab. Going green cost rural electric ratepayers in Minnesota more than $70 million last year, according to the Minnesota . . .
Regulators approve last degment of CapX2020 transmission line
After hearing final oral arguments and public comments, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) has issued a route permit setting a specific route and permit conditions for the Minnesota portion of the CapX2020 transmission line. This segment is the last one needing a route permit for the projects currently proposed or under way in CapX2020, which is expected to incorporate a large amount of wind power onto the grid. The PUC approved a route comprising the following three segments: Segment . . .
New wind farm to be built in Rock County
LUVERNE — By the end of this year, visitors to the Blue Mounds near Luverne will notice a change in scenery to the north and west, thanks to the largest wind energy project Rock County has ever seen. The 200-megawatt Prairie Rose Wind Farm will consist of 119 1.68-megawatt GE wind turbines, with the potential for up to 125 turbines that will extend 400 feet from the ground to the uppermost tip of the blade. Construction on the $350 million . . .
Permit process moves forward for new Nobles County wind farm
WORTHINGTON — Community Wind South took the next step toward building its 30-megawatt wind farm in Nobles County Wednesday night, when permit requests for a switching station and laydown yard in Summit Lake Township were approved by the Nobles County Planning and Zoning Commission. While the requests have yet to be presented to the county board for final approval, there were no concerns brought forth during Wednesday’s public hearing on the two proposed sites. Commissioners will hear the request at . . .
Attorneys opposed to Goodhue wind farm cited for not registering as lobbyists
ST. PAUL — Minnesota’s Campaign Finance and Public Disclosure Board ruled Tuesday that the attorneys representing two citizen opposition groups violated lobbyist registration rules while trying to influence the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission during the AWA Goodhue project’s two-plus year permitting battle. Carol Overland of Goodhue Wind Truth and Dan Schleck of Coalition for Sensible Siting have been ordered to register as lobbyists retroactive to 2011 and 2010, respectively, after probable cause was found that they received more than $3,000 . . .
