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KAFIRI Ile mInfliosie Members of Dodge County Judge recommends denial of site permit for wind farm Concerned Citizens expect Bits& to challenge a proposed wind An administrative law evidence demonstrates that governing wind turbine noise. farm that would stretch Pieces judge (ALJ) May 14 recom- current science supports a de- The MPCA said"the current across Steele and Dodge mended the Minnesota Public termination that people who understanding of wind tur- counties,according to the group has previously battled Utilities Commission deny a live near wind turbines may bine noise and its potential ef- Steele County Times. feedlot issues all the way site permit to Freeborn Wind experience annoyance,loss of fects is insufficient to support Florida-based NextEra to the Minnesota Supreme Energy to construct and op- sleep and headaches. rulemaking at this time." Energy has proposed a 71 Court. erate an up to 84 Megawatt • It is not in the best inter- State agencies, including turbine development,called The report also noted that portion of a wind farm in est of the local community to the MPCA said the current the Dodge Wind Energy Cen- Bent Tree Wind Farm,in Freeborn County. As an al- locate wind turbines in a man- state noise standard was not ter.The permitting process Freeborn County,has agreed ternative, the judge recom- ner that angers and alienates promulgated with wind tur- before the Minnesota Public to purchase the homes of mended the Commission al- the people whose lives are bine-like noise in mind. Utilities Commission has two families that have long low a certain amount of time most directly affected by the Freeborn Wind is an af- started. complained about excessive for Freeborn Wind to submit wind turbines filiate of Invenergy LLC, a The Dodge County citizens noise. a plan demonstrating how it The ALJ recommended large-scale developer head- will comply with Minnesota that, if the Commission is- quartered in Chicago. Free- Noise Standards. sues a site permit, the draft born Wind has entered into , AVANT 220 South Sixth Street Among the ALJ's findings: site permit conditions be an agreement with Xcel En- Suite 1300 • The turbines cannot be amended to require residen- ergy, whereby Xcel will ac- _____ E N E R G Y Minneapolis,MN ssaoz lawfully operated if it results tial setbacks of 1,500 feet for quire Freeborn Wind upon in total noise in excess of all non-participating land- conclusion of all development the standards in Minnesota owners. activities, and then own and ;' Rule 7030.0400.A total of 78 A number of parties inter- operate the project. '� n ',N homes in the project footprint vened in the case, including The MPUC has not yet set will experience more noise a group of local landowners a date for hearing. It gener- 6 '440. I \ than permitted. opposed to the project. The ally follows ALJ recommen- It1 • The project will result in landowner group requested dations, but is not bound by hi tft Is I ,, '' " til . benefits to the local economy. that the Minnesota Pollution them. ...1!%,l fAtt'I • The preponderance of Control Agency develop rules -Steve Downer II ' ..- The MPUC has recently -Wisconsin Power and Energy Industries Associa- dealt with several large wind Light's request for a site per- tion,Minnesota has 849.5 development proposals.Dur- mit for the Bent Tree Project MW of solar energy installed. The energy industry is rapidly changing,presenting ing its May 17 meeting alone, in Freeborn County; In the first quarter of 2018, utilities,companies and communities with new challenges it dealt with site permits or • Lake Benton Power Part- 105 MW of solar was added and opportunities.Avant works with its clients to develop transmission related develop- ners,an 107 MW facility in in Minnesota,the fifth most innovative,yet practical solutions based on a simple, ments for: Lincoln County; among states during that overarching belief that,"better is possible." • Nobles 2 Power Partners, • and Trimont Wind I,in time.Minnesota's solar mar- a 260-MW project in Nobles Martin and Jackson Coun- ket grew 89 percent during County; ties. that quarter. BETTER CONSULTING •Flying Cow Wind's pro- According to the report, DEVELOPMENT posal for the 152-MW Bitter The MPUC May 11 ap- Minnesota now ranks 14th S POSSIBLE UTILITY MANAGEMENT Root Wind Project in Yellow proved a permit for the 44.8 among states for total solar Medicine County; MW Palmer's Creek Wind power and there were 105 •Blazing Star Wind Farm Farm in Chippewa County. `community solar gardens' 2's request for a high-voltage operating in Minnesota. WWW.AVANTENERGY.COM transmission in Lincoln According to a report is- County; sued in June by the Solar Governance . ; _ continued from page 6 x=�' ._ appear to be an overwhelm- mg task for council or board TRAINsFIDRMERs,„..,,,,,..,,,...., but f need not be. With some up-front planning and a r A , ':