The Buena Vista County Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved a road use repair and improvements agreement pertaining to a future wind turbine project.
The supervisors opted not to take action on the agreement last week so they could get more information from County Engineer Bret Wilkinson, who said the document has been reviewed by himself and County Attorney Paul Allen…
Wilkinson said the agreement spells out how the county will invoice Allete Clean Energy for any road repairs, and spells out gravel road maintenance during the project. Certain gravel road intersections may need to be widened. The main designated north-south road will be 40th Avenue just west of Alta.
Allete plans to replace 259 existing wind turbines, and add 44 new energy-efficient turbines in Buena Vista County in 2027.
Allete, which is headquartered in Duluth, Minnesota, purchased two wind farms near Alta in 2014. The two wind farms have been operating since 1999. The company says refurbishing the wind farms will improve turbine performance and reliability, and support the renewal of power sales agreements. The electricity generated at the two wind farms is sold to MidAmerican Energy, Alliant Energy, and a regional electricity transmission organization known as MISO.
