Firm Proposes Wind Energy Project in Goodhue County
By Dawn Schuett, Post-Bulletin, Rochester, Minn.
Feb. 13–KENYON — A proposed wind-energy project will change the landscape in two Goodhue County townships this year, if the construction of nine wind turbines eventually gets a governmental go-ahead.
The 18.9-megawatt project is being proposed by Kenyon Wind, LLC, for the construction of nine wind turbines in Kenyon and Cherry Grove townships east of Kenyon.
Xcel Energy would buy the electricity produced, which could be enough to meet the energy needs for up to 5,500 homes, according to John H. Daniels Jr., a Minneapolis attorney and chief manager for Kenyon Wind, LLC.
County residents will learn more about the project at an information meeting Thursday night. Earlier that day, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will consider a preliminary decision on whether a draft site permit can be issued for the project.
Daniels said the project is in the range of $20 million. The company’s financial partner in the project is Edison Mission Energy, Inc., a subsidiary of Southern California Edison, which owns and finances energy facilities across the country, including other wind projects in Minnesota.
The wind project in Goodhue County will give an econimical boost to the area, while helping to meet the growing demand for clean energy, Daniels said.
“Global warming, global warming, global warming,” Daniels said of the reasons for tapping wind as an energy resource. “This is energy independence. These are all issues that we’re looking at. I think we all have to find a way to do our part.”
Michael Wozniak, Goodhue County planner and zoning administrator, said county officials have heard “mixed feedback” about the project.
“There are a number of property owners, obviously, who would stand to benefit because turbines are being located on their properties and hence, would be supportive,” he said. “There are others who are concerned about the usual types of things — impacts on property values, whether there would be noise or any other kinds of issues. Folks aren’t necessarily familiar with this technology.”
Scott Androli, chairman of the Kenyon Township Board of Supervisors, said he doesn’t have an opinion about the project yet but he’ll be among the officials and residents attending the meeting this week “out of curiosity.”
This would be the first wind-energy farm for Goodhue County, although a couple of non-commercial wind turbines are in the county.
The Kenyon Wind project would be much smaller than the most recent wind-energy project operating in southeast Minnesota. Forty-three wind turbines were built last year in Mower County as part of the High Prairie Wind Farm, a $150 million, 100-megawatt project. A second phase with an additional 63 wind turbines has been proposed.
INFORMATION MEETING: An information meeting about a proposed wind-energy project near Kenyon will be at 7 p.m. Thursday at the Kenyon-Wanamingo High School, 400 Sixth St., Kenyon. County and township officials also plan to meet with representatives from Kenyon Wind LLC at 5 p.m. Thursday at the Kenyon VFW.
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