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PSC okays site plan for Rolette wind farm

Dave Thompson
/
Prairie Public

The Public Service Commission has approved the siting plan for a new 100 megawatt wind farm to be located in Rolette County.

The Rolette Wind Energy Project is to be built south of the city of Rolette. It would use no more than 59 wind turbines.

The PSC held a second formal hearing on the wind farm – because of concerns about bald eagles in the area. That issue arose after a dead eagle was found beneath a turbine in the Bison wind farm in Mercer County.

Commissioner Brian Kalk says the nearest eagle nest to the Rolette wind farm is 2.5 miles. And he says after that second hearing, he’s satisfied the project should move forward.

"We opened up the hearing to get more information about the eagles," said Kalk. "The US Fish and Wildlife Service did not come to the first hearing, but came to the second hearing. They said they don't have any specific comments regarding this current project."

Kalk says Fish and Wildlife has agreed to work with the wind farm developer.

"I feel this is a very responsible project," said Kalk.

However, after an informational meeting between the PSC and Fish and Wildlife, an official with the federal agency suggested there should be more study of the wind farm. Kalk isn’t happy about the comment.

"If you can't commit to come to a hearing and saying your peace when it matters, you shouldn't be just spouting off on what your concerns are," said Kalk. "There's no room for Monday morning quarterbacks in the Fish and Wildlife Service. Come to the hearings, tell us your peace early, when it makes a difference."

The project developers say they haven’t yet found a buyer for the wind generation. It has to jump through a few more hoops before construction can begin.

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