KELOLAND.COM: News, Weather and Sports for Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa: "06/23/2005
New Power Lines Approved For Wind Farms
More wind energy is coming soon to southwestern Minnesota. The Minnesota Environmental Quality Board has given final approval to routes for two new Xcel Energy transmission lines on the southern edge of Buffalo Ridge.
Xcel says the lines would increase transmission capacity by 460 kilowatts. Work is expected to be done in 2007. It would bring the transmission capacity of Buffalo Ridge to 825 megawatts, more than double the present capacity.
Xcel is investing 160 million dollars in wind-energy improvements. As part of the new transmission line upgrade, the company is also being required to offer 60 megawatts of access to the lines to local investors."
