Project includes installing up to 285 wind turbines in Stutsman, LaMoure counties – estimated cost around $400 million

“We are looking at between 200 to 800 megawatts in the area, which can power as much as 125,000 homes in that case,” he said.

Vonbische said NextEra is looking to construct wind towers in Stutsman and LaMoure counties because of the close proximity to the substations the company is most interested in using. He said the substations are about 7 to 8 miles from Spiritwood.

The estimated cost of the wind farm project is around $400 million. The estimated cost for the hydrogen facility is around $2 billion.

The North Dakota Legislature earmarked a $125 million forgivable loan for a project if it is constructed in the state. Senate Bill 2015 says the Clean Sustainable Energy Authority “shall develop a fertilizer development incentive program, including guidelines to provide loan forgiveness.” The bill says funding for the fertilizer development incentive program is limited to $125 million.

To be eligible for the fertilizer development incentive program, the fertilizer production facility must be located within the state, the owner of the facility must be from the U.S. or Canada, the owner must borrow money under a program administered by the Bank of North Dakota, and the facility must use hydrogen produced by the electrolysis of water.

“Upon completion of the construction of the fertilizer production facility, the authority shall forgive the loan and shall use fertilizer development incentive funding to repay any outstanding amount borrowed, as certified by the Bank,” the bill says. “The authority shall request an appropriation from the strategic investment and improvements fund or other funding sources to provide fertilizer development incentive funding to repay any outstanding amount borrowed.”

Vonbische said the project has not been submitted to the North Dakota Public Service Commission for approval. He said an environmental study needs to be completed, which could take up to a year.

“When we are developing in these areas, we promise environmental commitment,” Pearson said. “Avian surveys for eagles and bats, any other local critters that are crawling around on the ground, habitat such as wetlands, waterways as well as cultural resource, tribal or Indian land that is sensitive to new developments.”

Pearson said the wind farm is compatible with farming and ranching.

“You can easily ranch or farm around them (wind turbines),” he said.

Any road improvements made by NextEra will be done by the company and can be used by anybody, he said.

He said lease agreements with local landowners could generate more than $5 million in landowner payments per year. He also said the county and state will benefit from the projects by receiving tax benefits with production tax benefits.

“During creation of the actual wind farm itself, we will have around 300 jobs created for that construction phase and then after that, we will have up to eight full-time, quality good-paying jobs running operation and maintenance on the wind farm itself,” Pearson said.

Pearson also said NextEra will also support the community by doing sponsorships around the county such as donating funds to local schools, youth athletic programs, first responders, food pantries.

“Anything from typically $1,000 to $5,000 we like to have some outreach out here, help the community that we are looking to develop at,” he said.