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MINNEAPOLIS - Jun 13
At least four wind-energy projects in Minnesota have been delayed because of a federal directive to study the effect of wind turbines on military radar installations. More than a dozen other wind projects in the Midwest have also been delayed. Wind industry officials criticized the policy as a "blanket action" with overly broad restrictions that are jeopardizing needed projects. Defense officials say the postponements are prudent in areas where long-range radar that protects the country might be compromised by arrays of huge wind turbines. Others, meanwhile, say the study is politically motivated as fallout from a controversial project on the East Coast. "Our goal is not to put up roadblocks to these wind farms, but to preserve the safety of our airspace and defense of our nation," said Eileen Lainez, a Defense Department spokeswoman. Congress ordered the study about wind farms and their effects on military radar in a last-minute amendment to a national defense bill in January. The language apparently was added because of a wind farm proposed for Nantucket Sound in Massachusetts. Some residents of the Cape Cod area oppose the project on grounds that the machines will spoil their views and kill migrating birds. The author of the amendment was Sen. John Warner, R-Va., who, the Chicago Tribune reported, has tried previously to block the cape project. In March, the departments of Defense and Homeland Security issued an interim policy that they would contest any new windmill farms "within radar line of sight of the National Air Defense and Homeland Security Radars" until the study is completed. Byron Christoffer, a farmer who lives 10 miles east of Worthington, received a letter from the FAA on May 24 that a 10-turbine wind farm he is ready to build is a presumed hazard because it is located in "the line of sight" of a radar installation near Tyler, 65 miles away. "There are hundreds of turbines already operating between us and the radar station that haven't caused any problems that I've heard of," he said. "This doesn't make any sense." Christoffer is frustrated that his 20-megawatt project in southwestern Minnesota faces an uncertain future. "It's a high mental stress situation," he said. "Our turbines are on the way from India right now. These things are $3 million apiece. We've got contractors ready to start work in 30 days." Kevin Walli, a St. Paul attorney who represents Christoffer, said another small wind project in the area with four towers also received a letter. Walli said utilities that commit to purchase power, equipment suppliers, construction crews and financiers are also affected by the policy. A larger wind farm known to be affected in Minnesota is scheduled to begin construction this summer southeast of Austin. That 100-megawatt, $150 million project would be built by FPL Energy, an independent power company based in Florida. John Seymour, said the company got a letter from the FAA. Officials at California-based enXco, Inc., also received the FAA letter about two weeks ago for a 205-megawatt wind farm the company plans to build near Chandler, in southwestern Minnesota. The project represents an investment of $320 to $350 million, according to enXco's Midwest region manager, Ian Krygowski. Because the company is several months from groundbreaking, Krygowski said, he's optimistic federal concerns can be addressed. FAA spokeswoman Elizabeth Isham Cory said that the agency has been selective. "It's not like we did a mass mailing," Cory said. "If we find something we need more time to look at, we send a letter." In some cases, she said, FAA officials may determine, after further consultation with the military, that some projects do not affect radar installations, and they will be given permits before the study is completed. ___ Information from: Star Tribune, http://www.startribune.com |
Federal directive delays wind-energy projects in Minnesota