STATE OF MINNESOTA
Office of Energy Security
Issued: August 14, 2009
NOTICE OF APPLICATION ACCEPTANCE
In the Matter of the Application of enXco for a Large Wind Energy Conversion System (LWECS) Site Permit for the 201 Megawatt Nobles Wind Project in Nobles County, Minnesota
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PUC Docket Number: IP6646/WS-09-584
PLEASE TAKE NOTICE that the enXco Development Corporation (enXco) has applied to the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission (Commission) for a site permit to build and operate a large wind energy conversion system (LWECS) of up to 201 megawatts (MW) in Nobles County. The Commission accepted the site permit application on August 11, 2009.
Project Description. enXco proposes to install 134, General Electric 201 MW wind turbine generators mounted on 80 meter (262.5 foot) towers, with a rotor diameter of 77 meters (252.6 feet), gravel access roads to the turbines, an electrical system consisting of underground collection and feeder lines that will deliver power to an onsite substation (located near the Nobles County Substation owned by Xcel Energy), permanent meteorological towers; and an operations and maintenance building located near the project substation. enXco's goal is to complete the construction of the Project and achieve commercial operation prior to December 31, 2010.
Proposed Site Location. The Project site is located in Larkin, Summit Lake, Olney, and Dewald Townships about seven miles west of Worthington and north of I-90, as shown on the map below. enXco has over 18,000 acres under easement agreement within the proposed 25,000 acre project boundary. The site is large enough to provide flexibility in the micro-siting process.
Site Permit Review Process. The Minnesota Department of Commerce, Office of Energy Security (OES), on behalf of the Commission is initiating the permit review process for this project under the Wind Siting Act (Minn. Stat. § 216F) and Wind Permitting Rules (Minn. Rules 7836). Upon completion of this process, the OES will present the record of this matter to the Commission for a final permit decision.
The OES is currently soliciting comments on issues that should be considered in development of a draft site permit for this project (see below). Based on comments received, OES staff will prepare and submit a draft site permit to the Commission for consideration. If approved, the draft site permit will be issued for public review and comment. A public meeting will be held in the project area and members of the public will have an opportunity to ask questions and present comments. Persons on the mailing list for this project (see below) will receive notice of all public and Commission meetings.
Public Comments. The OES is soliciting comments on issues that should be considered in developing a draft site permit for this project. Such issues include unique characteristics of the proposed site or project that should be considered, and items that may be missing or mischaracterized in the site permit application. Interested persons may comment until September 4, 2009. Please include the project docket number (IP-6646/WS-09-584) on all comments. Comments should be mailed, emailed or faxed to the OES Project Manager identified below.
Project Contacts and Information. If you have questions or if you would like further information about this project please contact:
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Larry Hartman, Project Manager
Minnesota Office of Energy Security
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-5089
Fax: 651-297-7891
Matt Langan, Public Advisor
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Minnesota Office of Energy Security
85 7th Place East, Suite 500
St. Paul, MN 55101
(651) 296-2096
Persons interested in adding their names to the Department of Commerce mailing list for this project should contact the project manager, public advisor, or register online at: http://energyfacilities.puc.state.mn.us
Questions about the Project and site permit application can also be directed to the applicant by contacting Ms. Jinnie Hall, Landowner Liaison, Tel (612) 746-0770 ext.307; jinnieh@enxco.com .
The site permit application and other documents relevant to the proposed project are available on the Commission's website:
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http://energyfacilities.puc.state.mn.us/Docket.html?Id=24616 and on the Department of Commerce's eDocket website at: https://www.edockets.state.mn.us/EFiling/search.jsp (enter the docket number 09-584).
Copies of the application are also available for review at the public library in Worthington, the Auditor's Office in Nobles County, and the city office in Worthington and with the clerks of Larkin, Summit Lake, Olney, and Dewald townships.
This document can be made available in alternative formats (i.e., large print or audio tape) by calling 651-210-2202 (Voice) or 1-800-627-3529 (TTY relay service).
See attached PDF for map.
(August 20, 2009)
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