Updated: 10/06/2009 8:22 PM KSTP.com | Print |  Email
By: Becky Nahm

Minn. Man Fights Plans for Wind Turbines

A battle is blowing up south of the metro over a plan to harness wind energy.

Two Minnesota companies, Sparks Energy and Medin Energy, want to build six, 230-feet-tall wind turbines in Greenvale Township, which is located about five miles east of Northfield in Dakota County.

Sparks Energy officials said the project would supply clean power to 3,000 homes in Northfield, Lakeville and Farmington.

But one man is doing everything he can to stop the project.

Hardware store owner Dan Hron said, "I've had neighbors crying asking me what can we do."

Hron put up signs in front of his home and started a website.

He said he's not against alternative energy, he just doesn't want turbines near his home.

Hron said, "I don't want them in my backyard. There are places for these and this isn't the place."

The Minnesota Public Utilities Commission will decide whether or not to approve the project early next year.

Tomorrow is the last day for public input.

Sparks Energy said there are currently about 1,300 wind turbines in the state.