www.windaction.org

New rules make it tough to put up wind turbines in Andover
August 18, 2010 by Eric Hagen in ABC Newspapers

Councilmember Don Jacobson said the ordinance approved last spring did not allow any of these systems in areas of the community zoned R-4, which is s higher density residential area. The updated ordinance allows WECS in the R-4 districts, but in very limited circumstances.

Also filed under [ General]

Progress of Lake Country Wind projects to be discussed Monday
August 14, 2010 in West Central Tribune

The permitting process to install 20 wind turbines in Meeker and Kandiyohi counties is under way, with a community meeting set for 6:30 p.m. Monday at the Atwater Community Center.

Also filed under [ General]

County tables action on wind turbine near Aldrich
August 12, 2010 by Loren Undseth in Review Messenger

During their regular monthly meeting held Tuesday, August 3, the Wadena County Board tabled action on an application for a Conditional Use Permit (CUP) to allow a 262-foot high wind tower to be erected in Aldrich Township.

Also filed under [ Zoning/Planning]

Large turnout for wind farm public meeting
August 5, 2010 by Steven Swenson in Pipestone County Daily

During the question and comment period, David Granneman, who lives on an acreage south of Jasper, said the setback between wind turbines and buildings should be greater. He suggested the setback requirement for hog barns, which in Rock County is one-half mile and Pipestone County a quarter-mile. "The wind turbines may be 750 feet away but it still feels like they are right on top of you," Granneman said.

Also filed under [ General]

Rosemount turbine won't get much of a breeze
July 31, 2010 by Nicole Norfleet in Star Tribune

UMore Park, the University of Minnesota's sprawling research area in eastern Rosemount, doesn't typically get much wind. That makes it the perfect place for the university's new wind-turbine project. That's because the goal of a turbine to be built there this year is not to feed the electrical grid, but to conduct research on ways to generate wind energy even when gales aren't prevalent.

Also filed under [ General]

Final public comment session wraps up for the Goodhue Wind project
July 23, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

Local residents packed Goodhue's gym Wednesday night for six hours as questions and concerns were addressed to the judge and a panel representing the applicant, National Wind. The overflow of issues caused the comment period to be extended into Thursday.

Also filed under [ General]

Goodhue Wind's final public comment period extended
July 22, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman heard testimony from 45 people in two sessions during Wednesday's process, though he often had to plead with people to stay under the five-minute limit. The overwhelming majority of questions and comments came from those who oppose the project.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind buffer proposals from Zumbrota, Goodhue meet resistance
July 22, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

The cities of Zumbrota and Goodhue may soon find their hope for expansion blocked by new wind turbines, and they don't appear to have much say in the matter. Zumbrota Mayor Richard Bauer and Goodhue Mayor Arland Voth have both requested two-mile wind buffers around city limits in recent months to allow for economic expansion.

Also filed under [ Impact on People]

Tempers flare at Goodhue County wind meeting
July 20, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

As wind energy discussions within Goodhue County near a resolution this fall, Monday's six-hour meeting of the Planning Advisory Commission revealed tensions have already reached the boiling point. Prior to the start of the regularly scheduled meeting, the PAC spent nearly two hours discussing the county's draft ordinance created by a three-person subcommittee during the past two months.

Also filed under [ General]

Gundersen Lutheran to build wind turbines near Lewiston
July 17, 2010 by Jenna Gibson in The Post-Bulletin

"Overall we want this whole thing to be green and green," he said, meaning saving both money and saving the environment. "We don't want to do one at the expense of the other." The Lewiston turbine project would join the system's other renewable energy projects in the region.

Also filed under [ General]

Final public hearing for Goodhue Wind set for next week
July 15, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

The final public hearing on the controversial Goodhue Wind project will take place next week at Goodhue High School. The last public hearing about the 52-turbine, 12,000-acre, 78-megawatt project will be moderated by Administrative Law Judge Eric Lipman in two meetings Wednesday.

Also filed under [ General]

State gives feedback on draft wind ordinance
July 10, 2010 by Eric Ludy in The Republican Eagle

In order for Goodhue County's draft wind ordinance to be considered by the state, its requirements need to be backed up with reasoning, according to a state official who met with the county's wind energy subcommittee Wednesday.

Also filed under [ General]

Wind report to be published for review
July 6, 2010 by Tim Ruzek in The Post-Bulletin

Mower County leaders accepted a draft version Tuesday of an environmental assessment for the proposed Pleasant Valley Wind project. Now the document, submitted by Renewable Energy Systems Americas, is headed to the state for publication in the Environmental Quality Board's Monitor for a period of public review.

Also filed under [ General]

Officials still struggling with wind energy in Goodhue County
July 2, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

As questions and concerns continue to swirl around three wind energy proposals in Goodhue County, officials at nearly every level of government are struggling with how to proceed in order to meet Minnesota's mandate of reaching 25 percent renewable energy by 2025.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Community gathers to discuss wind farm impact
July 2, 2010 by Jason Schoonover in Austin Daily Herald

A wind farm planned for Mower County received mostly positive remarks at a public hearing Thursday night, although some speakers said they still have questions. About 75 people were at the Austin High School cafeteria to comment on and learn about Renewable Energy Systems Americas' Pleasant Valley wind farm.

Also filed under [ General]

State to host public hearing in Austin on proposed wind farm
June 28, 2010 by Tim Ruzek in The Post-Bulletin

Also filed under [ General]

First draft of Goodhue County's new wind regulations proves unpopular
June 23, 2010 by Brett Boese in The Post-Bulletin

Both sides of the wind energy debate got their initial look at the first draft of the updated zoning ordinance last week. Neither side expressed any satisfaction with the changes Tuesday during a Planning Advisory Commission subcommittee meeting. Proposals included restricting the number of hours per year a dwelling could experience shadow flicker from a turbine and setting a noise level cap.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Minnesota Power begins construction of first wind farm
June 18, 2010 in Duluth News Tribune

Minnesota Power held a ceremonial groundbreaking Thursday in North Dakota to kick off construction of its first wholly owned wind farm in North Dakota.

Also filed under [ General| North Dakota]

Goodhue Wind's C-BED status questioned by two townships
June 16, 2010 by Brett Boese in Post-Bulletin

The drama surrounding local wind farms has taken numerous twists and turns over the past few years, but some have begun to take action after feeling their words weren't getting through. Belle Creek Township decided Monday to urge the Goodhue County Board to rescind its resolution of support for C-BED (Community-Based Energy Development) status for the Goodhue Wind project.

Also filed under [ Energy Policy]

Final wind turbine payment reflects lost revenue
June 15, 2010 by David Little in West Central Tribune

The manufacturer of Willmar's two wind turbines will receive final payment on its $6.2 million contract. The $237,400 payment approved Monday by the Municipal Utilities Commission to DeWind Co. of Irvine, Calif., takes into account revenue that the utility lost during various turbine outages since the turbines went into service in September 2009.

Also filed under [ General]