Skip to main content

Court overrules Goodhue County plan to block wind farm

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned a Goodhue County ordinance that would have prevented construction of a 50-turbine wind farm. But the project remains on hold until the developer comes up with a plan to protect eagles and other birds.
  • Author:
  • Updated:
    Original:

The Minnesota Court of Appeals has overturned a Goodhue County ordinance that would have prevented construction of a 50-turbine wind farm. But the project remains on hold until the developer comes up with a plan to protect eagles and other birds.

Next Up

School dinners lunch
MN News

Minnesota to offer free school meals to 90,000 extra students

Gov. Tim Walz, who is facing re-election in November, announced the measure on Monday.

motorcycle
MN News

Minneapolis man dies from injuries days after motorcycle pileup

The 69-year-old died after four days at Regions Hospital.

Sebastion Wolbersen-O’Hara
MN News

Police: 15-year-old missing from home north of Twin Cities

Authorities say he may be headed to the metro.

Joseph_P._Kennedy,_Sr_optimized
Sponsored Story

Foundation, the building, the win

Identifying Value Plus Catalysts helps your financial strategy and foundation

Shopping carts
MN Consumer

5,760 cases of Capri-Sun recalled as they might contain cleaning fluid

"The taste of fun" isn't that fun currently...

boating minnesota lake
MN News

25-year-old Hopkins man drowns after falling off boat

The man reportedly fell from the boat while fishing with friends.

mayor frey city minneapolis live stream march 14 2022
MN News

What's in Mayor Jacob Frey's budget proposal?

Here's a breakdown of what the Minneapolis mayor is focusing on in 2023-24.

Hmong Cultural Center Museum vandalism 1
MN News

New report details hate crimes in Minnesota last year

Hate crimes in Minnesota rose in 2021.

Low, Mimi Parker
MN Music and Radio

Low cancels Europe shows due to Mimi Parker's cancer treatment

The Duluth band says the decision follows 'recent changes' in Parker's treatment.

LA Fitness in St. Louis Park
MN News

Twin Cities LA Fitness closed after fire Monday morning

The gym will remain closed for the day.

Screen Shot 2022-08-04 at 1.22.41 PM
MN News

State contacts over 100 landowners in Rush Creek fish kill investigation

The deaths of the fish remain unexplained.

Screen Shot 2022-08-15 at 11.09.39 AM
WI News

Wisconsin man admits to 1992 revenge killings 15 years after boyhood tragedy

The 52-year-old man is in custody 30 years after the 1992 double murder.

Related

MN News

Plan for wind farm shelved to protect migrating birds

The Public Utilities Commission dealt a setback to a planned wind farm near Red Wing. Commissioners decided the plan does not do enough to protect eagles and other birds that could be killed by its 50 turbines. The decision will at least delay the project and could kill it.

MN News

Some Goodhue County landowners want to get out of wind turbine contracts

Several landowners have sent letters of termination to AWA Goodhue Wind. One of their concerns is the possible effect the turbines could have on wildlife. One Rochester resident says the turbines could disrupt the flight paths of migratory eagles and endanger the birds.

MN News

New wind farm could face big fines if turbines kill eagles

The Fish and Wildlife Service is advising AWA Goodhue Wind to apply for a permit that would reduce its liability if any eagles are killed by the spinning turbines of its planned wind farm. Without a permit, a second offense could cost the company half-a-million dollars.

MN News

Faribault County’s first commercial wind farm to add 60 local jobs

Construction on the 36-megawatt Big Blue Wind Farm in Blue Earth is already underway. The 18 new wind turbines being installed feature nacelle enhancements and a more aerodynamic blade design that optimizes energy output -- enough to power about 20,000 homes per year. The south-central Minnesota wind farm is scheduled to be operating by the end of the year.

MN News

PUC postpones hearing on controversial wind farm

Goodhue Wind plans to apply for a permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would allow its turbines to kill eagles without facing penalties. The proposed 48-turbine site is set to be located north of Zumbrota in southeast Minnesota. MPR reports the hearing with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission has not been rescheduled.

MN News

Wind farm seeking permission to kill eagles near Red Wing

Developers of a controversial wind farm in Goodhue County plan to apply for new federal permits to legally kill eagles. The Star Tribune reports the permits are part of a federal compromise between the demand for clean energy and the concern that wind farms could kill thousands of birds each year. The proposed 50-turbine site near Red Wing is home to a number of eagles and endangered golden eagles.

MN News

Wind farm developer accuses residents of attracting eagles to halt project

The developer of a 50-turbine wind farm says Goodhue County residents are leaving animal carcasses out to attract eagles. The presence of eagles could affect the project. State officials have not verified the accusations.

MN News

Central Minnesota wind farm a year behind schedule

The necessary permits are in place to build a 95-megawatt wind farm north of Paynesville, but Edina-based Geronimo Wind Energy is still looking for a utility company to buy its energy. A St. Cloud Times report says this has delayed construction by a year on central Minnesota's first large-scale wind farm, that includes as many as 60 turbines.