LOCATION/TYPE

View headlines only

[ exact phrase in "" • results by date ]

[ Google-powered • results by relevance ]


Archive
RSS

Add NWW headlines to your site (click here)

Get weekly updates

WHAT TO DO
when your community is targeted

RSS

RSS feeds and more

Keep Wind Watch online and independent!

Donate via Paypal

Donate via Stripe

Selected Documents

All Documents

Research Links

Alerts

Press Releases

FAQs

Campaign Material

Photos & Graphics

Videos

Allied Groups

View headlines only

Wind Power News: Minnesota

RSS Minnesota

These news and opinion items are gathered by National Wind Watch in its noncommercial educational effort 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.


March 12, 2024 • MinnesotaPrint storyE-mail story

Minnesota eyes permitting reform for clean energy amid gridlock in Congress

The Minnesota Energy Infrastructure Permitting Act, which was introduced last week, would reduce procedural requirements, consolidate environmental review authority for energy projects to a single state agency, limit certain contested case hearings and exempt all wind and solar projects and some transmission lines from certificate of need permits. Complete story »


February 15, 2024 • MinnesotaPrint storyE-mail story

Meeker County Board approves alternative energy moratorium

The proposed moratorium mentions an “emergency situation” that demands “a temporary emergency moratorium” to “protect public health, safety, and general welfare until public hearings can be conducted on a long-term ordinance.” Complete story »


January 11, 2024 • Minnesota, Print storyE-mail story

Lawsuit dismissed in latest chapter of wind turbine dispute in Orono

An Orono resident who is a wind turbine enthusiast filed another lawsuit against Orono and various city employees, claiming that they had worked together to bring fraudulent civil and criminal actions against him with the purpose of driving him out of town. In a ruling issued on Jan. 5, the U.S. District Court for Minnesota granted defendants’ motions to dismiss. Jay Nygard, who resided in the city of Orono, asked about regulations regarding wind turbines in 2010. He was told . . . Complete story »


January 8, 2024 • MinnesotaPrint storyE-mail story

Damage to rural roads during construction of wind-energy facilities

Though some of wind power’s down sides also have been well publicized, there is one negative factor that has received little media attention: damage to rural roads during construction of wind-energy facilities. The common term “wind farm” is appropriate because most wind generators are in rural locations—for the simple reason that they need to be out in the open. That almost invariably means construction companies must traverse low-volume gravel- and asphalt-surfaced roads to reach the many construction sites that make . . . Complete story »


September 12, 2023 • Minnesota, Print storyE-mail story

Willmar wind turbine stands idle while awaiting a $95 part

As has been the trend since February, the August wind turbine report presented Monday during the Willmar Municipal Utilities Commission meeting was less than stellar – again foreshadowing the potential demise of wind power in Willmar. Wind turbine number three, which has been causing the most trouble for Willmar Municipal Utilities this year, was available 35.5% of the time in August, according to Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Marti. Wind turbine number four was available 61.4% of the time. The total . . . Complete story »


August 26, 2023 • MinnesotaPrint storyE-mail story

Problems continue to plague Willmar’s wind turbines

After a stellar year in 2022, maintenance issues continue to plague Willmar Municipal Utilities’ two wind turbines in 2023, potentially signaling the end of the local wind power venture. “Whether we got lucky (in 2022), or my experience with equipment is that it always runs best before it dies on you. It has that last hurrah and sails off,” said Facilities and Maintenance Supervisor Kevin Marti during the wind turbine report at the July 10 meeting of the Municipal Utilities . . . Complete story »


December 19, 2022 • MinnesotaPrint storyE-mail story

Despite recycling efforts, many older wind turbine blades still end up in landfills

When a 2003-vintage wind farm in southwestern Minnesota became obsolete, its owner Allete Clean Energy tore it down and built anew. The new Northern Wind project came online last month with bigger turbines that produce 32% more electricity than the old facility. The new turbines scoop up so much more wind that Allete needed to erect only 37 of them. There’s only one snag: Most of the blades from those 65 old turbines were cut into chunks and are now . . . Complete story »


November 27, 2022 • Minnesota, Print storyE-mail story

Willmar, Minn., wind turbines may be nearing end of their useful life

With the original manufacturer no longer in existence, it is becoming more and more difficult for Willmar Municipal Utilities to find replacement parts for its aging wind turbines. Willmar, Minnesota’s wind turbines, constructed and put into operation in 2009, may be close to the end of their useful lifespan to generate power for the city. The lifetime expectancy for the turbines was estimated to be 20 years when constructed. However, it is becoming increasingly difficult to find replacement parts needed . . . Complete story »


August 27, 2022 • MinnesotaPrint storyE-mail story

PUC approves site permits for solar, wind hybrid projects in SW Minn.

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission this week approved site permits and related transmission routes for the Big Bend Wind and Red Rock Solar projects in southwest Minnesota. It will be the state’s largest hybrid renewable energy project. When complete the sites will produce about 300 megawatts of windpower and up to 60 megawatts of solar generation. The project will install 55 turbines at the Big Bend wind project and solar panels on more than 480 acres on nearby land for . . . Complete story »


July 6, 2022 • Minnesota, Print storyE-mail story

Clean energy?

If you drive from Lake Wilson through the country towards the hills of Chandler and west to Edgerton, you will see a large wind tower re-powering project taking place. Allete Clean Energy Company is in the process of re-powering and expanding the Chanarambie and Viking Wind projects in Murray County. These wind farms became operational in the early 2000s. In 2015, Allete Clean Energy acquired the projects and is now decommissioning 65 wind towers. They will eventually be replaced with . . . Complete story »


Earlier »

Get the Facts
CONTACT DONATE PRIVACY ABOUT SEARCH
© National Wind Watch, Inc.
Use of copyrighted material adheres to Fair Use.
"Wind Watch" is a registered trademark.

 Follow:

Wind Watch on X Wind Watch on Facebook

Wind Watch on Linked In Wind Watch on Mastodon