Opposition to Wind Energy Continues in Goodhue County

GOODHUE — Monday’s decision by the Belle Creek Town Board to file a legal appeal against the AWA Goodhue wind project could extend the battle over renewable energy in Goodhue County by another year.National Wind, the project developer, applied for a site permit with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission for the 78-megawatt project in 2009, but the permitting process has been contested by two local government bodies and two opposition groups; a typical project in Minnesota is permitted within 6-12 months, while this 32,000-acre project required more than two years to receive its permit.When the PUC completed its process by rejecting four reconsideration requests for its site permit on Nov. 10, critics took the issue to appellate court. The 6-rotor diameter setback approved by the PUC was about 1,000 feet less than what the county ordinance required and 100 feet more than the wind company was offering. Concerns about wildlife impact and local control have been also been raised.Goodhue County declined to make an appeal on Oct. 15 despite adopting one of the state’s most stringent wind ordinances in October 2010.As lawyers prepare to argue the merits of siting a wind turbine project in Goodhue County, opponents of the project have turned to a surprising source to provide an outside assessment of how the project might affect local eagle populations — the Lourdes High School Science Club.Rochester resident Mary Hartman, a vocal wind project critic, explained the situation during the club’s after school meeting last week. Forty Lourdes students voted to take on the project. They’ll focus specifically on bald and golden eagle observation, analysis and documentation for what could turn into a multi-year plan.”The kids seem pretty excited about the fact that they’ll be able to contribute to the community aspect,” said Dave Jenson, a biology teacher who is also head of the Science Club. “Bald eagles are majestic and eagles are our mascot, so that’s kind of neat.”