Spring 2010
We now have nearly 28,000 acres under lease. This brings us even closer to our ultimate goal of 30,000 acres; the amount necessary to build our project up to 300 megawatts.
On May 25th, 2010, the Mower County Planning Commission unanimously voted to recommend approval of Root River Energy's request to construct a meteorological tower, its first met tower in Mower County.
Root River Energy installed its first met tower in Fillmore County in October 2008 and now has analyzed and collected a year and half of on-site wind data.
November 2009
Root River Energy’s field team, consisting of Jim Connolly and Barry Rogne, are proud to announce that they now have nearly 20,000 acres of land under lease. The project has gained momentum, with 10,000 acres signed in the last few months. This makes Jim and Barry one of National Wind’s most productive field teams during this period. This is now two-thirds of the acres needed to develop a 300 megawatt wind farm. Over 7,600 of these acres are located in our Mower County footprint . Our overall goal is to sign 30,000 contiguous acres.
“We have seen increased interest from the local community over the past several months,” says Rogne. “Part of the amplified interest is due to the fact that landowners are coming to the realization that we have a great offer on the table and that our project has gained significant momentum over the last few months.” Positive landowner relations are essential to having a successful community wind farm project, and that is something the Root River Energy team considers a high priority."
March 2009
Mower County Expansion
Root River Energy, LLC, which formed last year to develop 300 MW of clean, renewable wind energy in Southeastern Minnesota will be expanding its project footprint. Under Root River Energy LLC’s new footprint, the company will develop parts of eastern Mower County in addition to the areas already under development in Fillmore County.
Ben Kerl, project developer of Root River Energy, explained the significance of the expanded footprint. “A big factor in our decision was the desire to place the project in closer proximately to our proposed point of interconnection to the transmission grid. This will decrease the expenses of the project and increase the efficiency, hopefully making the project more profitable for our local investors.”
In addition to reducing interconnection costs, expanding the project footprint will mean that more landowners can take advantage of the multiple benefits of National Wind’s community wind model. This model gives landowners a chance to participate financially and have a voice in the development of the area’s wind projects.
October 2008
Met Tower Installed
On October 8, 2008, National Wind Assessments installed an 80-meter meteorological tower (met tower)in the project footprint. The met tower will measure wind speeds and other data pertinent to Root River Energy's wind resource. These data will be used to calculate the optimal turbine layouts for Root River Energy's wind parks. Eighty meter towers deliver the most accurate wind data for large 1.5 to 2-megawatt turbines such as those that Root River Energy plans to use in its wind energy developments. Click here to see photos of met tower installation.
September 2008
First Landowner Meet Held
On September 18, 2008, Root River Energy held two separate and successful landowner meetings with over 100 local landowners present. Those who attended had the opportunity to learn more about Root River Energy, the lease terms and what community ownership of a wind farm could mean for them financially.
April 2008
Project Formation
On April 17, 2008, Root River Energy, LLC was formed with National Wind as the project’s managing partner and developer.
Completion of Initial Feasibility Studies
Environmental: A preliminary environmental analysis including a Cultural Resource Inventory and initial permitting requirements was conducted. The analysis, which covered an area significantly larger than the area planned for development, found no issues that would prevent the project’s completion. Further environmental investigations will be conducted as Root River Energy’s planning continues. Wind: An accurate wind assessment is critical to the success of any wind energy project. Using data from two met towers located near the project footprint, National Wind Assessments prepared a preliminary analysis of prospective wind speeds and energy production. As Root River Energy’s progress continues, the project’s developers plan to install an additional met tower to more accurately measure the area’s wind regime. Transmission: Excel Engineering evaluated the project’s transmission options and prepared an interconnection strategy. On April 22, 2008, National Wind submitted an initial interconnection request with a nearby transmission owner. National Wind will continue to explore innovative transmission opportunities on behalf of Root River Energy.
