Wind turbine rejected after neighbors protest

ALEXANDRIA, Minn. – The Douglas County Commission has rejected a proposed wind tower in Osakis after voiced opposition.

The Douglas County Planning Commission approved property owner Barbara Trisco’s request to add the tower, with conditions, at its August 15 meeting, however, new information was presented at the August 28 county board meeting and the commissioners then denied the permit request.

Trisco had requested a conditional use permit to allow a 39.9 kilowatt wind turbine tower to be used for agricultural power generation. Seven residents expressed opposition to the tower in the proposed location; five were present at the county board meeting. Trisco was not present.

“We feel this is too close to all our properties,” said Osakis resident Angela Jacobson, who acted as spokesperson for the group.

Douglas County is currently working on an alternative energy ordinance. The county hopes to have an alternative energy ordinance in place by next spring, Douglas County Land and Resource Management Director Dave Rush said.