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Nelson County imposes 60‑day moratorium on Engie Whiskey Creek wind project
Summary
After a presentation from Engie, Nelson County commissioners voted unanimously to impose a 60‑day moratorium on the proposed Whiskey Creek wind farm to allow the States Attorney and staff to research legal and regulatory issues.
Nelson County commissioners voted on Sept. 7, 2022 to impose a 60‑day moratorium on the proposed Engie Whiskey Creek wind project, following a presentation from a company representative and a recommendation from the county’s States Attorney.
Jon Fournier, representing Engie Whiskey Creek Wind Project, presented information about a proposed wind farm in Nelson and neighboring Grand Forks County. The States Attorney told the board the county should place the proposal under a temporary moratorium to give officials time to research legal and regulatory questions before taking further action. The commission unanimously approved a 60‑day moratorium.
The action was a procedural pause rather than a rejection: commissioners directed staff to use the moratorium window to gather additional information. No specific legal authorities or statutes were cited on the record during the presentation, and the transcript does not list a timeline for staff's follow‑up work. The motion was recorded as passed with all members voting yes.
The county did not specify conditions that would end the moratorium, nor did the transcript include a detailed schedule for review. The moratorium applies only to the county’s actions on the project and does not, in itself, prohibit private development activity or filings outside county jurisdiction.
