Public Utilities Commission rejects Goodhue wind farm plan
The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission on Thursday rejected a company's plan to minimize eagle and bat deaths at a proposed wind farm in Goodhue County.
Commissioners said the protection plan by AWA Goodhue was inadequate. The ruling is a setback for the $180 million project, which would include about 50 wind turbines in southeast Minnesota.
The company's plan to protect eagles and bats can be resubmitted to the commission. It must be approved before construction can begin.
The company has also applied for an eagle take permit from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service that would allow the turbines to kill a certain number of eagles before the company would face penalties.
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