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 are the products of the organizations or individuals noted and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of National Wind Watch.
Big problems in wind permitting
I am a day care provider living in the footprint of the proposed Freeborn Wind project. I’ve had day care in my home over 20 years and love my job. I am among the nearly 80 percent signing a petition against the project on the Minnesota side. There has been and still remains problems and rules not followed. There has been admitted lying and trespassing. There has been a lack of decommissioning the plan, the administrative law judge recommendations being . . . Complete story »
Wind farm repowering; 137 wind turbines will come down, 44 will be reconstructed
The owner of a 100.2 megawatt (MW) wind project between Ruthton and Holland plans to remove 137 existing wind turbines and replace them with 44 new, larger turbines that will produce the same amount of electricity. The project, slated to be completed by the end of 2019, is owned by Lake Benton II, LLC, a subsidiary of NextEra Energy Resources. The 137 towers that stand now have been operational since 2000 and the power has been sold to Xcel. Danell . . . Complete story »
Proposed Dodge County wind farm discussed at Minnesota Public Utilities Commission meeting
ROCHESTER, Minn. – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission made a stop in Rochester to deliberate several items, including the application process of NextEra Energy Resources’ proposed Dodge County Wind wind farm project The commission ruled that their application was complete and ready for reviewal stages. Douglas Eayrs, a member of Dodge County Concerned Citizens, attended the meeting because he has some concerns about the project. “We don’t have wind turbines like this in our county. We have some wind farms, . . . Complete story »
Woodstock News Week of Sept. 24, 2018
The weather continues to be a topic of conversation, with rain, thunderstorms and cooler temps. A casualty of the lightning strikes was a wind tower on Meredith Kellen’s land five miles north of Woodstock. One blade was completely torn off and landed a short way from the tower; another was burned in the shape of a horse shoe, left hanging from the turbine. The third one is still intact. Another inconvenience was noticed on Sunday morning as the wind tower . . . Complete story »
Minnesota utility regulators approve Freeborn County wind farm opposed by neighbors
The Freeborn Wind Farm, one of the most contested wind-energy projects in Minnesota, was approved Thursday by state utility regulators. The wind farm proposed for Freeborn County in southern Minnesota sparked significant opposition from local residents concerned about turbine noise and other issues. A state judge in May recommended that Freeborn Wind should not be granted a permit, saying it failed to show it could meet Minnesota’s noise standards. But after Freeborn Wind’s developer earlier this week proposed “special conditions” . . . Complete story »
Commission unanimously approves Freeborn Wind Farm permits
ST. PAUL – The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission unanimously approved site and route permits for the Freeborn Wind Farm Thursday. Approval came at a packed, contentious meeting attended by dozens of supporters and detractors of the project, expected to be in London, Shell Rock, Hayward and Oakland townships. Twenty-five to 49 turbines are expected to be in Minnesota, with the remaining balance planned for Iowa. Throughout the three- to four-hour meeting, detractors of the project wore red shirts and showed signs . . . Complete story »
Big Ole battles Zeus and loses: St. Olaf wind turbine damaged in thunderstorm
The St. Olaf wind turbine, affectionately named “Big Ole,” was struck by lightning on Sept. 2. The lightning inflicted noticeable damage on one of the turbine’s blades, putting it out of commission for 15 days. The facilities department and Vestas – a wind turbine manufacturer and installer – finished repairs on Sept. 16. Big Ole contributes extensively to St. Olaf’s energy needs, helping the College reach its sustainability goals and achieve its carbon neutral status. Carbon neutrality means that all . . . Complete story »
Wind power movie to be shown at MnWest-Canby Campus Tuesday
On September 18, a film screening of the new documentary, The Power of Minnesota, will take place at Minnesota West Community and Technical College on the Canby Campus. The film is a collection of stories and voices around Minnesota, highlighting the successes and benefits of renewable energy efforts throughout the state. The event in Canby is being hosted by Clean Energy Resource Teams (CERTs), in partnership with Pioneer Public Television, Minnesota West Community and Technical College and MnSCU, Southwest Regional . . . Complete story »
Wind industry says Minnesota pollution control stance will stifle its growth
The wind energy industry says an opinion filed by Minnesota pollution control regulators defining wind turbine noise will stifle its growth. The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA) says the state’s limit for wind farm noise applies not only to sounds from turbines but also should include background noise like road traffic, said the filing with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (PUC). The filing is part of a contentious permitting case for a proposed $300 million project southeast of Albert Lea . . . Complete story »
Future massive wind turbines in MN face blowback from neighbors
The most powerful wind turbines ever seen in the state could soon be built in southwest Minnesota. The state needs to approve the proposed wind farm. The industry is ramping up turbine size in the name of efficiency, but the skyscraper-sized machines are also attracting more public opposition. Locals love the gentle lapping of waves against the rocky shore of Lake Cochrane in eastern South Dakota. It’s less than a mile from the Minnesota border. But some residents including Ron . . . Complete story »
