2/27/2007
From the Bluff Country Newspaper Group
Full article

PUBLISHER'S NOTEBOOK: Local wind project more intriguing than state push

By David Phillips

Minnesota took a significant step toward a future fueled by renewable energy when the governor signed a bill requiring utilities to generate a quarter of their power from renewable sources such as wind, water and the sun by 2025.

Right now, only about 5 percent of the power produced in Minnesota comes from renewable sources; about half comes from traditional coal. The change mandated by the state is the most aggressive in the country, according to national analysts.

The new law encourages the use of wind farms, hydroelectric power and solar energy as well as cleaner-burning fuels. It sailed through both branches of the Legislature with little opposition.

"Enacting this new standard will make us a leader in renewable energy reform," said state Rep. Ken Tschumper (DFL-La Crescent). "It will produce jobs and investments in Minnesota industries. Taking a national leadership role on this initiative is a step in the right direction for our state."

Taking such a progressive stand is good for our state to "reduce its dependence on foreign oil, respect our natural resources and stimulate growth in rural Minnesota by investing in alternative energy industries," added state Rep. Jean Poppe (DLF-Austin).

While it is a good step, the measure is aimed at utility companies, which tend to be distant from the average resident of Minnesota. The work will likely be done behind the scenes, often using unfamiliar people.

For example, the large wind project west of Spring Valley was constructed by a company out of Florida with all the components shipped in from distant locations. Although farmers benefited from the rights to use their land for the turbines, local people were generally not a part of the massive project.

However, that isn't the way it has to be. There are other ways to bolster renewable energy and one local project spearheaded by Eagle Bluff Environmental Learning Center near Lanesboro is noteworthy because it has the potential to get local residents involved in a direct way.

At a public meeting last week, Executive Director Joe Deden told the 75 people - three times as many as he anticipated -about the potential for wind energy in the area. Eagle Bluff, through the Minnesota Department of Commerce, arranged a study of wind potential in southeastern Minnesota. Harmony, Spring Valley and Preston had high potential with good wind speeds and proximity to major power transmission lines.

The beauty of the project isn't just that we have the potential for a major renewable energy project right in our neighborhood. Deden would like to engage local people in a way that isn't commonplace. He suggests that local residents be involved in the planning, financing and selling of the power. If a project were to go forward, he would also like to use local contractors and workers to install a wind turbine.

Better yet, the local process would be one way to educate the public about carbon neutral, efficient energy.

Although the project is still a dream right now, Deden should be commended for all the work already put into researching this local initiative. He has put together an incredible amount of maps, charts and documents showing the feasibility of wind energy in the immediate area.

Now, it's time for local residents to get involved and learn more about the real potential for renewable energy in our area.

If you are interested in finding out more, check out www.eagle-bluff.org/natural-resources.html and click on "Sustainable & Alternative Energy" to find links to maps, resources and a community questionnaire. More general information on wind power is also available at www.windustry.com/community.