The Bitter Root Wind Project would include 44 of the turbines placed within view of South Dakota's Lake Cochran. | Pixabay
The Bitter Root Wind Project would include 44 of the turbines placed within view of South Dakota's Lake Cochran. | Pixabay
South Dakota residents concerned about the impact on their pristine, lakeside views are raising opposition to a proposed wind farm across the state border in Minnesota.
Minnesota has yet to approve the Bitter Root Wind Project planned by global renewable energy company RES, headquartered in the UK, which would include 44 of the turbines, each reaching 568 feet high, placed in southwest Minnesota’s Yellow Medicine County, within view of South Dakota’s Lake Cochran, according to reporting by Minnesota Public Radio.
The size of the turbines makes them about 50% more efficient than the average wind turbine, according to Minnesota Public Radio. But South Dakota resident Ron Ruud said that it also means they will be a significant obstruction to the Lake Cochran skyline even though they are more than a mile away.
At the same time, Bitter Root project developer for RES Michelle Matthews told Minnesota Public Radio that, while the company has worked to minimize the visible impact for lake residents, there are some on the Minnesota side of the lake who have actually expressed interest in placing future turbines on their property.
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