Wind Watch is a registered educational charity, founded in 2005. |
Small wind farm wins right to sell power to big company
Credit: Bob Mercer Legislative corrrespondent | Rapid City Journal | rapidcityjournal.com ~~
Translate: FROM English | TO English
Translate: FROM English | TO English
For the first time in South Dakota, a small wind farm has succeeded in using a federal law to force a utility company to buy electricity produced by the wind farm’s turbines.
The state Public Utilities Commission made its final decisions Tuesday in the battle that Oak Tree Energy brought against NorthWestern Energy.
The family-run wind company is based in Clark County in northeastern South Dakota. Its proposed wind farm is within NorthWestern’s service territory.
Oak Tree Energy attempted in 2010 to negotiate with NorthWestern to buy its power. The utility refused to buy the power, saying the additional electricity wasn’t necessary.
Oak Tree Energy turned to the PUC in April 2011. Oak Tree used a federal law known as the Public Utility Regulatory Policy Act of 1978 as the basis for its complaint.
Four of the family members behind Oak Tree were in the meeting room Tuesday. The scene was similar to two weeks ago as the four Makens – Michael, Bill, Pat and James – silently watched while the three state commissioners negotiated with one another on the final factors setting how much NorthWestern must pay Oak Tree each year.
The commission initially made its decision months ago when it ordered the two sides to reach a contract, but NorthWestern last month convinced the commission to reconsider several points.
Those were resolved Tuesday in several split votes. A key point of difference was whether NorthWestern customers should pay more up front and less in later years over the 20-year life of the deal. Nelson preferred a more level basis.
Hanson responded that he didn’t want to force an injustice on Oak Tree by limiting the company’s ability to get financing for the project.
NorthWestern Energy could appeal the matter to state court but there’s been no indication the utility will take that route.
This article is the work of the source indicated. Any opinions expressed in it are not necessarily those of National Wind Watch.
The copyright of this article resides with the author or publisher indicated. As part of its noncommercial educational effort to present the environmental, social, scientific, and economic issues of large-scale wind power development to a global audience seeking such information, National Wind Watch endeavors to observe “fair use” as provided for in section 107 of U.S. Copyright Law and similar “fair dealing” provisions of the copyright laws of other nations. Send requests to excerpt, general inquiries, and comments via e-mail.
Wind Watch relies entirely on User Funding |
(via Stripe) |
(via Paypal) |
Share: