Legalectric

Well, we didn’t get a contested case, but we got front page full top headline in the Beagle:

Kenyon wind farm challenge turned down

The Republican Eagle - 05/04/2007

A request by citizens concerned about the proposed Kenyon wind farm was shot down Thursday by the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission.

The commission refused to order a contested case hearing based on a petition submitted by the recently formed Citizens for Environmental Rights and Safety group. The group has raised several concerns over the proposed nine-turbine wind farm slated for construction just outside of Kenyon.

If granted, the hearing would have slowed approval of the facility by forcing the PUC to further examine several areas of the project.

“We didn’t get what we wanted,” said Carol Overland, the Red Wing attorney representing CFERS. “But they’ve given us something to work with at least.”

Though a contested case hearing wasn’t approved, residents and the citizens group will soon be able to comment on a draft of the final project permit, the PUC ruled.

That document wouldn’t usually be available for public viewing and comment until June 8, one week before the PUC is scheduled to make a final decision on whether or not to approve the project.

“This way people get one more chance at it,” said Bret Eknes, facilities planner for the PUC. “This is the commission giving the public one more opportunity.”

The regular public comment period regarding the Kenyon wind farm ended April 11.