Photo of TNT, LLC truck cab taken at the scene

On Thursday, just as we were leaving the hearing for the Freeborn Wind project at the Albert Lea Armory, a large chunk of ice flew off one of the Bent Tree turbines and hit the drivers side of a truck going south on Hwy. 13 towards Albert Lea.  Put a scratch and lite dent in the door, and took a big chunk out of the faring near the gas cap.  That’s a big piece of plastic that costs way, way too much to replace.

A chunk of ice also hit the Langrud’s shop nearby.  Others???

The ice last week was unreal, I’ve never experienced that level of ice coating my vehicle as last Monday, it was raining all the way from Red Wing to Albert Lea, and in places it was an inch thick.  I can just imagine how it was caked on the turbines.

It’s been reported in both the Albert Lea Tribune and KAAL TV 6:

Complaint: Ice From Freeborn Co. Wind Turbine Hit Semi – KAAL

Turbines temporarily shut down after ice … – Albert Lea Tribune

And here is the letter sent by Alliant/Wisconsin Power & Light Company regarding the ice throw:

20182-140446-01_Letter Bent Tree

 

KAAL’s star witness!

It’s over, only two days, well, three, the public hearing was on Tuesday, lots and lots of people attended and spoke up.

This was before the public hearing started, and not long after it started they added two more sections o seating over on our side to my right.  It was a god crowd, articulate and well spoken.

The AP article about this project is all over the country.

New rebellion against wind energy stalls or stops projects:

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Santa Cruz Sentinal

Porterville Recorder

Billings Gazette (lots of photos!)

Washington Post

The Oklahoman

El Defensor Chieftain

Seattle Times

CNBC.com

Cache Valley Daily News

Enough, you get the idea…

Here ’tis:

Motion for Order to Show Cause and for Hearing

It’s been years and years, and we’re getting to where administrative remedies are almost exhausted! What more does the Public Utilities Commission need to act?

There’s two studies now showing noise levels above what’s allowed under MPCA rule and the Bent Tree permit.

Bent+Tree+08+573+PostConstNoiseMonPhase+II+Report+2+7+18

BentTree_NoiseMonitoring_20179-135856-01

But wait… there was post-construction monitoring showing the same way back in 2011!

20116-63863-01-1_Post-Construction_Part1

20116-63863-02_Post-Construction_Part2

How long does it take to enforce noise regulations?  Too long, so far.

 

DNR’s Motion to Quash DENIED!

February 17th, 2018

The DNR changed its logo to the same boring one all MN agencies now use, UGH!

The DNR, after agreeing to a time certain for staff to testified, filed a Motion to Quash!!

DNR-Motion Packet

WHAT?  So I filed a response:

Response_DNR_Motion to Quash_FINAL

And the Administrative Law Judge told the DNR what they could do with their Motion:

Order_DNR Quash_20182-140121-01

And the meat of it:

Yeah… delightful… Now, can we get at why it is that the DNR, Dept. of Health, and Commerce do not want to testify in this docket?  Hmmmmm…

Soooooo, Mueller has indicted 8 Russians and Russian internet companies. Here’s the indictment.  REAL NEWS, PRIMARY SOURCE.  READ IT!

Internet_Research_Agency_Indictment

“Unwitting individuals from Trump Campaign…” cited here:

I’m waiting, looking for those “witting” individuals.  We’ll get there, I do believe.