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Walleye Wind hearing draws 120 interested participants

Lead Summary
By
Mavis Fodness

The first of two Walleye Wind Farm public hearings took place Jan. 5 online and by conference call.
The hearing allowed verbal comments to be recorded for Minnesota Public Utilities Commission and their upcoming decision on whether a site permit and a certificate of need should be granted for the wind farm to be operational in Rock County.
Comment period is open until Jan. 26 through written means.
The Jan. 5 hearing for verbal comments was conducted by the state Department of Commerce Energy Environmental Review and Analysis unit which will prepare an environmental assessment for the project.
The EERA provides technical expertise and assistance to the PUC including the environmental impacts of energy facilities such as those of the Walleye Wind Farm.
Suzanne Steinhauer is the EERA environment review manager.
She said her unit is responsible for engaging the public to identify potential human and environmental impacts should be studied, are there alternatives systems better for the area than a wind farm, and if there are any unique characteristics within the project area that should be considered.
The EERA doesn’t handle the examination of the location of turbines or their transmission lines.
 
Hearing draws 120 to virtual hearing
Fifteen individuals spoke at the public hearing conducted virtually due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Thirteen people indicated support for the project with two expressing concern. No one spoke directly against the project.
Two residents who live just across the state line in South Dakota recently heard about the project and questioned notification requirements for residents who live in another state.
Steinhauer said she was unsure of how or if neighbors bordering the state line were notified, but public notices were published about the project.
Walleye Wind Farm Project Manager Mike Weich said the company has been in verbal as well as written contact with landowners and residents within the wind farm’s footprint, including those within the turbine setback requirements.
Adverse noise and other negative health issues from wind turbines will be studied.
Steinhauer said various studies required with the submitted permit application, including noise, are examined as part of the environment assessment process.
The 13 other people who provided input at the public hearing included current union employees who have worked at previous projects and local residents who support the economic development the wind farm will bring to the area.
Timeline for environmental assessment completion is April followed by another public hearing in May through an administrative law judge.
The judge’s report is expected to be complete in July followed by the PUC decision in September.
When EERA Energy Facilities Planner Michael Kaluzniak closed the hearing, he stated that 120 individuals connected to the virtual hearing.
“That’s a pretty good turnout,” he said.
 
Written testimony accepted until Jan. 26
Additional comments to be included in the permanent record for the Walleye Wind Farm permitting process can be completed by:
•mail to Suzanne Steinhauer, Environmental Review Manager Minnesota Department of Commerce, 85 7th Place East, Suite 500, St. Paul, MN 55101.
•fax to 651-539-0109.
•online to https://mn.gov/commerce/energyfacilities/#comment.
Include docket numbers 20-269 or 20-384 in all communications.
 
What does the Walleye Wind Farm project entail?
NextEra Energy Inc., based in Juno Beach, Florida, proposes constructing a 109.2-megawatt wind farm in the Rock County townships of Beaver Creek and portions of Springwater, Luverne and Martin.
The wind farm would consist of 40 to 44 turbines.
Included in the plan is the decommissioning of seven wind turbines in Beaver Creek Township, purchased in 2019 from Renewable Energy Systems.
 
U of M economic impact study released
The $138 million Walleye Wind Farm is one of five wind farm projects NextEra Energy proposes to construct in Minnesota. The University of Minnesota Extension Economic Impact Analysis Program prepared a report released last month.
Key finding by preparer Brigid Tuck included an estimated $55.7 million in economic development during construction and $1.9 million in annual operations.
“The project will support an estimated 400 jobs during construction and 12 during ongoing annual operations. During the anticipated 30-year life of the project, it will generate $57 million of economic activity in the county,” she stated.
If all permits are approved, construction on the wind farm could begin this fall.
A full report on the project is available at the star-herald.com website.

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