MINNESOTA -- A proposed project would see the construction of 100 wind turbines, spread over two counties in two states.  The farm would be built in Freeborn County, Minn. and Worth County, Iowa.

General Iowa Minnesota

A project to construct 100 wind turbines near Ivanhoe has provoked outrage among construction unions representing workers in and around southwest Minnesota, who say the project is largely being done by employees outsourced from out-of-state

General Minnesota

Judge Carmen Means ...denied the motion for summary judgment in an oral ruling issued with little explanation indicating she did not have enough information to make a ruling and that the decision will have to be made after hearing all the evidence.

Legal Minnesota South Dakota

“So when Invenergy talks about most of the time the noise will be controlled and most of the time the lights won’t hit your house and It'll be one or two%. Well I know what it's like and it's huge when you are the 1 or two%."

Impact on People Minnesota Iowa

The Freeborn County Board of Commissioners rejected a proposal Tuesday to conduct a study of the Freeborn Wind Energy Project planned in southeast Freeborn County. ...The board’s vote came after approximately 20 people shared support and concerns of the planned project in a public forum that lasted for more than an hour.

General Minnesota

On Monday, November 7, 2016, Kristi Rosenquist visit with friends in south-central Minnesota. For 5 1/2 years, Kristi's friends have been living with the constant sound and motion of the Bent Tree wind project (200 MW, 122 turbines) owned by Alliant Energy - a life they describe as torture. This is not a unique story. Many people are sick and tortured in industrial wind projects across the globe. Many have left their homes - either abandoned them entirely, or, when possible sold them at a great financial loss to escape. Kristi took these photos and graciously permiited Windaction to post them here.  

Impact on Landscape Impact on People Minnesota

After the plane struck the wire, the cable wrapped around power lines, prompting Xcel to temporarily shut off power to the wind turbines.  While crews repair the damage, federal investigators will work to piece together what led up to the crash that claimed the life of a veteran pilot, once honored by the FAA for his safe flying record.

Safety Injury Minnesota

“We respectfully request our permit for the Sibley Wind Project be canceled while we work out a solution that will meet everyone's requirements relating to avian studies on the project,” wrote Steve Estes, president of Star Distributed Energy, in a letter to the state Public Utilities Commission. Star controls Sibley Wind Substation LLC, the project developer.

Impact on Birds Minnesota

The appeals panel agreed that practical effect of the state's prohibitions would have prevented out-of-state utilities from adding coal-power capacity to the regional power grid without approval from Minnesota regulators. Minnesota can't do that without approval from Congress.

Legal Energy Policy Minnesota

This letter filed with the Minnesota PUC confirms Flat Hill Windpark I, LLC's desire for revocation of its permit to construct a 201 MW wind energy facility n Clay County, MN. The content of the letter is provided below and can also be accessed by clicking the links on this page.

General Minnesota

Flowers noted the turbines will remain inactive throughout the summer while the flight pattern of the eagles continues to be monitored by the state. However, it's possible to curtail more turbines if necessary. Xcel won't know for sure until the fledglings leave the nest, possibly around late October, and if the eagles choose to continue returning to the nest. Around that time, the company may apply for a permit to remove or relocate the nest — known as an Eagle Take Permit — but as of now, it's a waiting game.

Impact on Birds Minnesota

The blades of a wind generator at the University of Minnesota Duluth’s field research station just north of Duluth spun out of control on Friday afternoon, for a time prompting concerns from law enforcement officials.

Safety Minnesota

In addition to idling the turbines closest to the nest through the summer, Xcel Energy plans to pursue a federal Eagle Take Permit that would protect the utility from liability in the event of an eagle death, according to an April 14 letter to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

Impact on Birds Minnesota

The amendment, offered by state Rep. Marion O’Neill, would prohibit solar projects if more than 75 percent of the trees in an area larger than three acres would have to be cut down. The bill to which her amendment was attached cleared the Minnesota House on April 27, though the Senate has yet to take it up.

Impact on Landscape Minnesota

Schmidt will admit he's a little biased on this one, but he'd prefer the same sun that will cause corn to grow from his field not cause rows of solar panels to soon emerge from a nearby field. “The concern we have is the large amount of farm land being lost.” 

General Minnesota

Phase I of the Bent Tree Wind Project began operation in January 2012. The project consists of 122 Vestas V82/1650 (1.65 MW, diameter 82 m) turbines for a total installed capacity of 201.3 megawatts. Noise complaints were filed by at least two landowners since September 2015. Staff for the Energy Environmental Review and Analysis (EERA)  unit of the MN Department of Commerce examined the complaints and believe the complaints are both Unresolved and Substantial. In this letter with supporting documentation, EERA staff recommended the MN Public Utilities Commission initiate the process for addressing the complaint. The letter to the PUC is provided below. The full letter with documentation can be accessed by clicking the links on this page.

Impact on People Noise Minnesota

Mrs. Rosenquist continues to fight against wind farms, successfully convincing lawmakers to craft legislation to change Minnesota turbine siting standards in 2011 and continuing to push the issue at the local and state levels.

General Minnesota

Developers of a Minnesota community solar garden have agreed to test for stray voltage on neighboring properties, a nod to opponents that could have implications for other projects. The Winona County Board of Commissioners recently approved two 5 megawatt (MW) community solar projects with the caveat. Jeffrey Broberg, a consultant to the project developer SolarStone Partners, said the agreement is “unprecedented”.

Minnesota

The tower would be in service for about three years, and be equipped with temperature and wind sensors to collect wind resource data for future similar projects in the area. It must meet requirements of the Martin County Renewable Energy Ordinance.

Zoning/Planning Minnesota

While some say a possible solar-wind hybrid project near Frazee would benefit the city and its residents, others say it would annoy homeowners and kill off wildlife in the area.

Impact on People Minnesota