Senators had a landmark vote on renewable energy in the Minnesota Senate on Thursday.

Minnesota, already one of the top producers of wind energy in the nation, is expected to add at least 128.2 megawatts of new wind power in 2006, according to an industry survey.

Winona County’s proposed wind turbine project moved toward the end of its study phase this week when the county board of commissioners approved an additional $44,000 in seed money.

Winona County’s economic development authority revealed several more details and funding proposals for a proposed 2-megawatt turbine during a work session Tuesday, as preparations move toward a vote on final approval later this year. The county board will be asked next Tuesday to approve $48,000 to complete studies for the turbine.

Proponents of Winona County’s 2-megawatt wind turbine project have a revised funding plan that will include private investors after struggling in recent months to raise public money.

SLAYTON, Minn. -- When wind turbines were first built on the Buffalo Ridge in the mid-1990s, area farmers and landowners took ownership.

Average wind speeds in northwestern Minnesota are highest during October whereas in the south of the state they are strongest in March and April. The least windy month for the entire state appears to be August.

On the third day of the new year, the Winona County Economic Development Authority Rural Development subcommittee took another slow but sure step toward the construction of a $3 million wind turbine.

BISMARCK, N.D. -- Two utilities and a pipeline company have dropped plans to build a wind farm in southeastern North Dakota, in part because of rising wind turbine prices, officials said.

A new wind energy project was introduced to officials and Mower County residents Tuesday night at the Mower County Planning Commission meeting

Within the next week, the Winona County Economic Development Authority (EDA) could be the proud recipient of two meteorological towers on loan from the Minnesota Department of Commerce, according to EDA member Anne Morse. A meteorological tower, or “met tower,” is typically a structure between forty and fifty meters tall that provides a setting for an anemometer, a device that gauges wind.

"To push harder for renewables, we need to have data in order to do it responsibly," said Bull. "In the meantime, while we're doing this, we're focused on wind energy and natural gas costs and pushing utilities beyond where their comfort level is. We'll continue to push for more renewables where we see the benefits to consumers."