May 24, 2019
North Dakota

Proposed Burleigh-Emmons Wind Farm to move

Jack Dura | Bismarck Tribune | May 23, 2019 | bismarcktribune.com

A controversial wind farm proposal is moving after a new developer purchased the project.

A spokesperson for NextEra Energy Resources said the company intends for the 70-turbine project to be in Emmons and/or Logan counties “to take advantage of synergies” with the company’s Emmons-Logan Wind Energy Center, which is under construction.

No exact location has yet been determined for the project, however.

“We have evaluated the Burleigh Wind project, talked to community leaders and decided to move the project. We look forward to developing this project and providing affordable, home-grown energy in North Dakota for years to come,” NextEra said in a statement.

Previous developer PNE Wind USA sold its interest in the proposed wind farm to NextEra and dropped an appeal against Burleigh County, filed as the Burleigh County Commission had denied special use permits for the project.

More than 500 people attended a public hearing on the wind farm proposal last December, with fierce testimony from both sides.

David Day, a participating landowner, expressed frustration with the project’s path.

“This project is done. There’s no moving forward with it,” he said Thursday.

Dave Nehring, a landowner east of Bismarck who opposed the wind farm, welcomed the outcome. He said the project’s proposed location would have been disruptive to wildlife and natural resources, such as water bodies and migratory flyways.

“Just a horrible location,” he said.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission issued a siting permit in February for the Emmons-Logan Wind Energy Center, granting approval for up to 123 wind turbines northeast of Linton.

URL to article:  https://www.wind-watch.org/news/2019/05/24/proposed-burleigh-emmons-wind-farm-to-move/