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 do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch. They are the products of and owned by the organizations or individuals noted and are shared here according to “fair use” and “fair dealing” provisions of copyright law.
SW Minn. wind-solar hybrid project brings renewable hope, cultural concerns
A proposed wind and solar farm in southern Minnesota is vying to be the first of its kind in the state, if approved. But the project’s proximity to a cultural site that is sacred to many Native Americans has historic preservation officials and tribal leaders anxious about its impacts. The Apex Clean Energy company’s proposal would install about 55 turbines for the Big Bend wind project and solar panels on more than 480 acres of nearby land for the Red . . . Complete story »
Indigenous, historic preservation groups object to wind project near Jeffers Petroglyphs
The Big Bend project planned for southern Minnesota would be one of the state’s biggest wind farms, and paired with a large solar plant, would be different from any other power project in the state. But Big Bend’s proximity to the Jeffers Petroglyphs site – sacred to Indigenous people – has alarmed the state’s historic preservation office and the Lower Sioux Indian Community. “I just want to emphasize that to the Lower Sioux this project is considered a high priority,” Cheyanne St. . . . Complete story »
Minnesota lawmakers begin work on renewable energy bill
Minnesota lawmakers are beginning work on clean energy legislation that would require utilities to generate 100% of their electricity from carbon-free resources by 2040, as a renewed focus on climate change ramps up with a new administration in the White House. The Minnesota bill, authored by Rep. Jamie Long, an environmental lawyer who chairs the House climate committee, would raise the requirement for the share of a utility’s retail electric sales generated by renewable energy sources to 40% by 2025 . . . Complete story »
Gov. Tim Walz pushes again for carbon-free electricity in Minnesota to avert climate crisis
Gov. Tim Walz is again pushing for zero-emission clean electricity – and setting tougher goals this time – after an earlier effort fizzled in the Minnesota Legislature amid Republican opposition. The governor’s call for 100% carbon-free electricity by 2040 is the focus of a set of climate change proposals his office issued Thursday as it works to get Minnesota on track to hit its targets for cutting greenhouse gas emissions. The state’s latest inventory of emissions shows that as a whole, Minnesota . . . Complete story »
Xcel looking to upgrade Grand Meadow wind farm
Xcel Energy is hoping a proposed upgrade to its wind towers near Grand Meadow will move the wind farm further into the future. The company held a virtual open house Thursday night about the project that would extend the life of the farm to 2048 and produce at least 10 percent more energy. “As a national leader in wind energy for more than a decade, repowered wind projects like Grand Meadow will help us reduce carbon emissions, keep bills affordable . . . Complete story »
Renewable-energy tax credits extended under pandemic stimulus package
Minnesota renewable-energy developers are welcoming the latest federal pandemic stimulus package, which will extend critical tax credits. Signed into law at December’s end, the $900 billion stimulus bill – meant to stem the economic effects of the coronavirus – extends by two years the terms of solar-energy investment tax credits available in 2020. Now, new solar projects also will get a 26% investment tax credit in 2021 and 2022. That credit will decline to 23% and then 10% in the following two . . . Complete story »
Minnesota regulators approve $750M Xcel wind-power project
Minnesota regulators on Wednesday approved Xcel Energy’s $750 million wind farm “repowering” project, one of several proposals from the utility to help speed up the state’s economic recovery from COVID-19. Xcel, the state’s largest utility, said its plan to retool several existing wind farms will save ratepayers $160 million through efficiency gains. The Public Utilities Commission (PUC) unanimously agreed, though the Minnesota Department of Commerce opposed Xcel’s plan. “I believe the record shows this will lead to substantial customer savings . . . Complete story »
Great River announces Minnesota wind-farm projects to replace coal-plant power
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC) last week voted unanimously to approve the Buffalo Ridge wind project. Permit applications for the other three projects are expected to be submitted to the PUC next year. Complete story »
Minn. transmission fight reaches Supreme Court
An electric utility is calling for the Supreme Court to weigh in on a “protectionist” Minnesota state law that the power company argues could hinder regional shifts toward clean energy. The 2012 law grants utilities with an in-state presence the “right of first refusal” for certain projects, which LSP Transmission Holdings LLC (LS Power) says violates the Constitution’s “dormant” commerce clause because it discriminates against interstate commerce. Such claims have also driven legal battles over pipeline building and coal exports. . . . Complete story »
Minnesota utility regulators getting pushback on economic-stimulus initiative
Xcel’s second batch of proposed investments focus on two large renewable-energy projects: a $650 million solar energy plant near Becker that would be four times larger than the state’s largest solar farm; and a $750 million effort to “repower” several Minnesota wind farms. Repowering means investing in new equipment that make wind turbines more efficient, saving customers money, Xcel said. The Attorney General’s Office said in a filing that the PUC should “decline to grant expedited reviews of very large investments, as Xcel is requesting.” Complete story »
