Groups sue regulators over giant wind farm in Minnesota

Two electric consumer groups have sued Wisconsin regulators alleging they followed the wrong process when they approved a giant wind farm in Minnesota.

The Public Service Commission in July approved Wisconsin Power & Light's plan to build a $497 million wind farm in Freeborn County near Albert Lea, Minn. The farm could cost residential electric customers $9 more a month.

In a lawsuit filed Friday in Madison, Wisconsin Industrial Energy Group and the Citizens Utility Board allege the PSC performed a much less stringent review than state law requires.

PSC officials didn't immediately return a message Friday afternoon. Steve Schultz, a spokesman for WP&L parent company Alliant Energy, says the issue is settled.

Create a More Connected Minnesota

MPR News is your trusted resource for the news you need. With your support, MPR News brings accessible, courageous journalism and authentic conversation to everyone - free of paywalls and barriers. Your gift makes a difference.