Goodhue Wind Project Is Issued a Draft Permit and Confirmed C-BED; Xcel Energy Purchase Agreement Approved
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.”
A copy of Goodhue Wind’s draft site permit is available on the project’s website: http://www.goodhuewind.com/permit
About Goodhue Wind:
Goodhue Wind, LLC is a community-based wind development company located in Goodhue County, Minnesota. Our company’s objective is to develop 78 MW or more of wind turbine-based renewable energy. We currently have over 12,000 acres under lease and the participation of 215 landowners and community members. Our development commitment is to produce a wind energy project that is sustainable, generational and environmentally responsible. Our financial commitment is to assure that the financial benefits are shared with our local stockholders, area land owners and the surrounding community. Visit our website at www.GoodhueWind.com.
About the American Wind Alliance (AWA):
Mesa Power Group, with the support of GE, founded the American Wind Alliance, which is attempting to drive continued growth in the wind industry by acquiring and then completing the development of wind projects in North America. The American Wind Alliance will initially be sponsored by Mesa Power and GE, but as this endeavor grows, a handful of selected U.S. companies seeking to accelerate their own presence in renewable energy, will be invited to join the Alliance as members. In 2007, T. Boone Pickens created Mesa Power Group to develop and finance wind and other renewable energy power projects across the country. For more information, visit www.MesaPowerGroup.com .
About National Wind:
National Wind is the leader in developing utility-scale community wind energy projects. We form powerful partnerships with local property owners, assuring that the project’s economic benefits are shared with the community. National Wind has participated in developing 13 wind energy projects and currently has over 4,000 megawatts (MW) in active development. National Wind projects are located in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Montana, Colorado, Texas and Ohio. The company is exploring expansion opportunities in other states. Please visit www.nationalwind.com for more information
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