Goodhue County wind project clears hurdle - KTTC Rochester, Austin, Mason City News, Weather and Sports

GOODHUE COUNTY, Minn. (KTTC) -- The proposed construction of a 78-megawatt wind farm in Goodhue County faces one less barrier.

Opponents of the AWA Goodhue wind project decided this week not to take their concerns to the Minnesota Supreme Court.

The Coalition for Sensible Siting has been challenging the Public Utilities Commission over its decision to issue a permit for the wind farm. The wind farm project calls for 48 turbines across 32,000 acres in Goodhue County .

The coalition stopped their legal fight this week because of money issues. The group has spent more than $100,000 fighting the project.

Developers of the AWA Goodhue wind project say the turbines would lower electrical rates and create jobs.

Some locals say the wind turbines will be an annoyance with the sound and shadow flicker they emit. Some are afraid the blades could kill eagles and other wildlife in the area.

"There's a half a dozen nests within the footprint of this project and several outside of it," said Shelley Nygaard, a supporter of the Coalition for Sensible Siting. "There needs to be legislation to regulate this a little bit more."

The Goodhue wind project still faces several hurdles, including getting road permits from two townships.