North Dakota: Company wants to operate 75 wind turbines just north of Tioga in Oil Patch
Company wants to operate 75 wind turbines just north of Tioga in Oil Patch
By Eric Killelea / Williston Herald on Jul 3, 2015 at 11:53 p.m.
WILLISTON Cold winters and an industrial-based economy have forced North Dakota to rely on coal to meet demanding electric needs. But now, its sweeping wind gusts are attracting turbines.
In efforts to feed the power grid and reap millions of dollars in the process, Lindahl Wind Project LLC, plans to generate 150 megawatts of electricity from 75 turbines four miles north of Tioga. Thirty landowners, convinced the wind farm project will produce clean energy and diversify the rural economy, have signed leases for 13,000 acres of land, of which 50 acres would be impacted by the project.
Officials in Lindahl, Sauk and Tioga townships have recommended approval of the project; however, the city of Tioga and some potential neighbors of the 492-foot turbines have expressed mistrust in the landowner-initiated project that involves out-of-state business partners.
Last week, the Williams County Planning and Zoning Commission voted 4-1 to recommend denial of the project. Board members recommended the Williams County Commission deny the applicants request for a conditional use permit on agricultural land and a separate variance request from setback requirements. Meanwhile, the applicant must also get approval from the North Dakota Public Service Commission before moving forward.