What is really interesting to me is that in the wind industry it has been written that permitting is political and science is not important. They also write the this is about perception management and the goal is to "influence the perception of decision makers". Clearly the decision makers here bought in to the perception that this is a good thing. Since these have environmental consequences and common sense and science show that this will not be good in the long term, I wonder what these people will offer for an excuse when it comes time to pay the piper? I didn't know? Wind is free but turbines and their operation are not. It's about time people started dealing with reality instead of perceptions of reality.

Sorry Washington County. The MPUC says that they can overlook your ordinance for large wind development. Good Cause is if you have an ordinance that prevents the building of LWECS. Refer to the AWA Goodhue Wind Docket.Large wind is exempt from local control and most MN.Statutes.The Coalition For Sensible Siting has much more on the topic.

Junifer15.....You are confusing big wind farms with what is in this story.. Small wind turbines (under 39.9 kw) that would offset the electricity usage of one farm or business...This is not "Big Wind" or "Wind Farms". The consumer owns these small wind turbines and pays for them...again there is no federal or state grant money for these small wind installations! The owner is responsible for maintenance and would also be responsible for decommissioning the turbine after the 25-30 years of its life expectancy. So, if the consumer, and not the public is the one "paying the piper" ...what is the problem? Electricity prices have risen 45% in the last 8 years and Xcel has requested another 6.7% increase for 2013, so doesn't it make sense to try and create your own electricity if you can rather then have to pay the ever rising cost of a monopolistic electric utility? The return on investment for these small wind turbines (39.9 kw on 160 foot towers) is 7-10 years and they produce 150,000-200,000 kw per year in Minnesota depending on the wind resource. The turbines are available from a MN company that is creating jobs and only selling made in the usa turbines. So why not?

Perhaps you should look across the border at St Croix Co. Wi. What about the wind development right across the river? 400 plus ft turbines that can be seen 16 miles away. I think you'll be seeing those flashing red lights at night anyway unless you aer way down in the valley. You don't care anyway. Screw those on top the bluffs who have to see the flashing lights. Are they even aware of the Wi side proposed wind developement?