St. Paul, MN, April 20th, 2010 - On April 15th, the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (MPUC) unanimously confirmed the Goodhue Wind Project as a Community-Based Energy Development (C-BED) project, issued a draft site permit and accepted Xcel Energy’s request to approve the project’s Power Purchase Agreement (PPA). Most importantly the MPUC denied a request for contested case status from a group that opposes wind development in Goodhue County.
“We are pleased to add another community-based wind resource to our system,” said Jim Alders, Xcel Energy director of regulatory administration. “Xcel Energy is already the nation’s No. 1 wind power provider and the Goodhue Wind Project advances our commitment to provide clean, renewable energy at a reasonable cost to our customers, while helping us meet aggressive renewable energy requirements.”
30 Goodhue Wind project supporters and representatives from construction trades came to the hearing to show their support for Goodhue Wind. The Goodhue Wind project is a 52 turbine project located on 12,000 acres in Goodhue County, Minnesota. The Project has the participation of over 215 landowners and community owners.
“I was impressed with the proceedings and thrilled with the result,” says Dennis Gadient, a Goodhue Wind participant and one of its owners. “We had a great turnout from our supporters and I’m excited that our project is one step closer to bringing needed jobs and economic development to our community.”
The draft site permit contains the rules and conditions in which the project should be built. The Office of Energy Security (OES) will hold a local hearing in Goodhue County to take public comments on the draft permit. The will likely be held in mid-June, 2010. Goodhue Wind’s website will include information from the OES regarding the timing and logistics of the written public comment period once details become available.
A copy of Goodhue Wind’s draft site permit is available on the project’s website:
http://www.goodhuewind.com/permit
