CORNISH TOWNSHIP, Minn. — Developers of a proposed 10-turbine wind farm that has come under fire from dozens of residents have denied alleged permit violations and reaffirmed plans to proceed with the controversial project, newly filed documents with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission reveal.
Indiana-based WESCO Wind blamed construction delays on the project, which has been on the drawing board since 2005, on bad weather and opponents’ pressure to study the Sibley Wind Substation’s potentially lethal impact on eagles and bats.
“I believe the project is not in violation of the state permit,” said Steven Estes, president of WESCO Wind, in a Wednesday filing with the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. “WESCO Wind has spent millions of dollars to get the project built, and we have in place the plan to complete the construction in 2015. These dollars spent were because of the state permit, and to have it jeopardized now, after willingly going through the Avian study, would be a travesty.”
Thirty supporters of the wind energy facility also weighed in with letters backing the development. “The project will help control the cost of electrical power in the community, create jobs and be very beneficial for the area,” wrote Kristopher Vos, a Tyler resident.
State regulators took the unusual step of opening an inquiry into alleged permit violations on the proposed 20-megawatt wind energy facility in November.
“Since construction began, the Commission has received several complaints, allegations of violations, and requests for hearing,” states the MPUC notice to reconsider the project’s permit.
Opponents filed a 32-page document listing several alleged violations of the 1,600-acre project’s permit, questioning whether developers met state requirements.
“There is no interpretation of the Minnesota rules, no matter how liberally construed, for which SWS can claim it has met its burden to commence continuous construction as required,” states the citizens’ online filing.
State Rep. Glenn Gruenhagen has urged the utilities commission board to take the process a step further by convening a hearing to revoke Sibley Wind Substation’s permit.
“The PUC must act to maintain the integrity of the permitting process and protection of the citizens of Minnesota. If no consequences result from the heinous violations and disregard of state rules, ordinance and the PUC permitting process, regulated parties will see this as a free pass to permit violations of all kinds in the future,” Gruenhagen states in a lengthy document also signed by some 75 opponents.
