A representative from the energy company that built the Peak Road wind farm asked the Barnes County Commission for permission to run some heavy loads over the road next spring.

Dick Rausch, construction project manager for Florida Power and Light Energy, told the commission on Tuesday, FPL is considering other projects in North Dakota and wants to transport 60 to 70 wind turbines on the Peak Road during the period of road restrictions.

Each wind turbine is transported in eight loads, according to Rausch.

From mid-March through May load restrictions of 6,000 pounds per axle apply on the road, due to weather conditions. During this part of the year the frost is coming out of the ground and the substructure of the road is at it's weakest point, according to Mark Anderson, an engineer with Kadrmas, Lee and Jackson.

Rausch explained FPL in North Dakota will receive deliveries of wind tower components originally intended for other states, and needs a place to store them until new project locations are chosen. One possible location is just north of the existing wind farm on the Peak Road.

Rausch assured the Commission FPL would do whatever is needed to repair the road and return it to it's existing condition or better.

"We're willing to do anything the county expects us to do to continue doing business in North Dakota," Rausch told the commission.

Commission Chairman Rodger Berntson asked Rausch if FPL was willing to put up a $4 million bond to replace the 18-mile section of road if it were damaged beyond repair.

"Yes," Rausch said.

He explained that FPL didn't expect any damage to be extensive enough to warrant completely rebuilding the road however.

Commissioner Harlan Opdahl wanted to know how they'd decide who did the damage to the road.

"We'd assume it'd probably be us," Rausch said. "I've told our people we may have to rebuild that road at substantial cost."

When Berndtson asked about local farm traffic, Barnes County Highway Supt. Kerry Johnson said exceptions to the weight restrictions would apply only to FPL trucks.

Rausch said that FPL would like to have an answer by the end of the year, if possible.

The Commissioners were generally receptive to the proposal, but cautious.
Commissioner John Froelich, a retired long-haul truck driver, said the conditions would have to be spelled out very clearly, "I'm not going to do business on a handshake."

After discussion, Commissioner Cindy Schwer proposed a motion, seconded by Froehlich, which passed unanimously. "The Commission will look into the request by Florida Power and Light and instruct Kerry Johnson and Mark Anderson to investigate possible cost for minimum repairs and bring the results of their findings to a special County Commission meeting on Dec. 22."