Published November 13, 2009

Turbines: Heavy loads damage roads chat

By Julie Buntjer, Worthington Daily Globe

Back to article

Recent Comments

If you feel a comment violates the terms listed below please choose the report violation link associated with the offending comment and file a report.

Patches J.
Rushmore, MN     11/13/2009 12:17 PM

Unfortunately when the wind developers come to town with promises of "money to be made", people get dollar signs in their eyes, and do not consider much more than how they might spend the money. Any taxes or revenues from the wind turbine production or property taxes should 1) go to DECREASE the property taxes in the townships where they are located---because the property in the area will be less valuable (who wants to live beside 100+ windmills?); and 2) to maintain roads affected by the developers. The money should not be a slush fund for special projects. The County commision 1) needs to do their homework on the windmill ordinance and 2) cut back on unnecessary projects. The economy is in the pits and the county wants to keep spending and taxing.

Report a Violation

wes h.
Sioux Falls, SD     11/13/2009 11:03 AM

Isn't it funny how the greenies are all for wind generation? Well as long as the generators aren't near them. Ted Kennedy fought tooth and nail against the wind farm near Martha's Vineyard. Robert F. Kennedy Jr. thinks it is fine for all the peasants living here in the heartland of America to have wind generators all over just so long as he doesn't have any of those ugly [and noisy] things near him.

Report a Violation

Julie B.
Worthington, MN     11/13/2009 10:37 AM

To Steve: Of the 38 wind turbines in Nobles County, three are owned by local utilities and therefore do not generate tax revenue for the county. Of the remaining turbines, there is a combination of small turbines which generate between $400 to $600 per year in wind energy production tax, and larger turbines that generate more than $5,000 in wind energy production tax. Each year, the amount of taxes paid per turbine varies depending on how much wind they produced. If a turbine is out of commission or the wind doesn't blow as often or as much, its annual production is lower. The wind energy production tax is not the same as a property tax. Julie Buntjer/Daily Globe

Report a Violation

Steve T.
Osseo, MN     11/13/2009 9:52 AM

I struggle with one of the numbers in the article....38 wind generators generate over $125,000 in taxes. My numbers may be wrong, but I was told at one time these cost nearly a million dollars each to construct. If so, tell me how a business with $38,000,000 in fixed assets in Nobles county is only paying $125,000 annually in taxes?

Report a Violation

mike e.
Adrian, MN     11/13/2009 8:37 AM

Ya, tell me about it. I live on the highway that they hauled all the wind generators to the Fenton Wind project. Now we have a nice cracked and potholed highway. On top of that I have the ugly 90 and 140 foot tall metal poles carrying the power lines running in front of my place but across the highway so I didn't collect a dime from ExCel Energy. Even the places that have the power poles on them got a one time payment for the poles being on their property. During the development stage they asked for landowners opinions and I let them know I felt there should be an annual payment for the poles since ExCel Energy will be making money off these projects for many years to come. Now the next project will be along a county highway and everyone in Nobles county will pay the price while the power company reaps the benefits.

Report a Violation

Leroy V.
Brewster, MN     11/13/2009 6:02 AM

Just like those who support a stadium, if you use the stadium pay the price. Taxpayers don't need to pay the entire cost to repair roads. The companies owning the turbines should pay the tax.

Report a Violation

Please Log in to share your comments

Comments posted on this page DO NOT reflect opinions of Forum Communications Company. Forum Communications Company does not endorse and is not responsible for any statement, opinion, advice given or made. All replies are posted "as is" and must follow Forum Communications Company guidelines concerning statements of libel, personal attacks or defamation of character. If a comment is found in violation of said guidelines it can and will be removed from the public discussion. Replies in the "Talk About It" section that criticize a person by name may not be posted, unless that person is openly involved in a public issue. Comments written in all capital letters or bold print will not be considered for inclusion in Worthington Daily Globe.

Terms & Conditions