We’ve erected four meteorological towers in the area to measure wind speed and direction and we’re very comfortable with the wind resources in this area, EcoEnergy representative Don Miller said.

We’ve erected four meteorological towers in the area to measure wind speed and direction and we’re very comfortable with the wind resources in this area, Miller said.

A transmission line will mostly run on a private easement along Minnesota Highway 44.

We’re currently considering a 1.5-megawatt General Electric turbine, Miller said. Until we know for sure which turbine we’ll be using we won’t know the exact number or turbines we need or where they will be located.

The project could cost as much as $400 million, so the company is continuing to look for investors.

We’re competing with projects worldwide, Miller said. The economy has slowed our efforts, but we’re confident that we’ll get that financing.

He said the next step is to go through state permitting for the certificate of need.

He’s confident there’s a need, because the state has set a goal of using 25 percent renewable energy by 2025. A public hearing for the site permit was held April 15 and the comment period on that permit will end May 20.

The energy company will also need to prepare an environmental report by the end of July, which will include studies on birds, bats, noise and wetlands, Miller said. Commissioner Marc Prestby was concerned about setbacks and noise levels. Miller said the state requires that no house experience more than 50 decibels of sound from the turbines. He compared 50 decibels to the hum of a refrigerator.

He also said the state requires a 500-foot setback from any homes, but that company policy is a setback of 1,000 feet. Commissioner Chuck Amunrud was concerned about the condition of roads in the project area.

We need to make sure things will be repaired accordingly and that the roads will be maintained, Amunrud said.

Miller said the company plans to start working with the county highway engineer, because maintenance crews will need driveway access to get to the turbines once built.

The company is planning to build an office and maintenance building in Harmony for the 10 to 15 people it plans to employ.

EcoEnergy is a US-based company involved in creating and delivering wind energy projects.