December 15, 2010
Minnesota

Wind turbine project unexpectedly stalled

By Joseph Lindberg, Staff Writer, Faribault Daily News, www.faribault.com 14 December 2010

The Conditional Use Request for a pair of wind turbines in Northfield Township was unexpectedly withdrawn Tuesday.

County officials said they received a letter Monday from Medin Renewable Energy, withdrawing the request for the CUP that would allow construction to begin on the turbines.

Officials at Medin Renewable Energy, of Gro Wind LLC, said the landowner of the current site wants to sell the property.

“Sometimes there are complications with this process,” said County Administrator Gary Weiers.

Julie Runkel, the Rice County planning and zoning director, said the letter mailed to the county did not provide a reason.

The Gro Wind project proposed a pair of 326-foot-tall commercial wind turbines in the southeastern corner of Northfield Township. It was put on hold earlier in November when a resident challenged the county on its mandatory notification practices for a public meeting hosted by the city.

At the most recent Rice County Planning Commission meeting, the Gro Wind project met considerable opposition. Residents protested its placement in a wooded area, proximity to homes and danger to surrounding wildlife.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2010/12/15/wind-turbine-project-unexpectedly-stalled/