Public News Service | Mike Moen, April 16
Minnesota has nearly 125 wind farms. For people curious or skeptical about this longstanding renewable-energy source, local leaders and industry voices are engaging with residents, including a session tonight in the state’s “wind-belt” region.
Clean Grid Alliance is hosting a public education event in Redwood Falls to paint a picture of how wind energy works not only for the grid, but surrounding towns. Direct payments go to landowners hosting turbines, and local governments see annual financial perks from a production tax on all wind generated.
Over in Nobles County, Commissioner Gene Metz said last year they received $2.4 million in revenue from the tax. He said they’re cautious to not to put all of it in their general fund for quick spending, but the extra dollars do help, given the local economy’s limitations.
“We don’t have a chance to bring in other businesses,” he said, “and wind is one that will co-exist with agriculture.”
Skeptics say wind energy gobbles up prime farmland, but a recent U.S. Department of Agriculture study claims the footprint is minimal.
Metz added that there’s still plenty of farm acreage in Nobles County, and newer turbines take up less space. While the revenue has steadily increased, he explained that there are still variables to contend with, such as older setups needing maintenance. That can pause some wind-energy generation and cause short-term revenue impacts.
Merjent is a Minnesota-based firm that does consulting work as wind farms are developed. Dan Flo, the company’s principal consultant and project manager, said the industry is trying to improve outreach where renewables are being proposed. He said even before the permitting process gets underway, there’s often extensive studies that look into potential land impacts.
Flo said they don’t want people feeling surprised when project applications are submitted, while adding the advance work strongly adheres to state and federal standards.
“Professionals, people in my industry, follow those standards because it’s required, but also, it’s a matter of reputation,” he said. “We’re out there to do good work based on the rules and the best science available.”
For example, he said experts hired for planning studies are trained on how to spot wetland disturbances or culturally significant sites. While a patchwork of local ordinances has popped up around the country restricting wind farms, Flo said fortunately, it’s not quite as prominent in Minnesota. But he said there’s still some pushback companies such as his are working through.
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