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Residents and energy companies brief Dunn County on planned wind and biofuel projects
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Summary
Two residents urged support for wind projects; NextEra described the proposed 'Blizzard Wind' project east of Halliday with a projected operational window of 2029–2031 and a single turbine footprint of about one acre. Gevo and Zero6 introduced biofuel and related projects. The commission agreed to write a letter supporting a HydroBIND USDA SBIR application.
Two residents used the public-comment period to voice support for wind development in Dunn County, saying projects would provide landowner income and additional tax revenue. Lynn Selle told commissioners he does not expect negative effects from wind projects; Marvin Berg made similar remarks in favor of projects and their local income potential.
Daulton Pearson of NextEra Energy Resources introduced the company’s proposed Blizzard Wind project, sited on Dunn County’s eastern side approximately 2.5 miles from Halliday. Pearson said a single turbine footprint is roughly one acre and that NextEra anticipates the project could begin operating between 2029 and 2031. He described potential local benefits including increased tax base, charitable contributions, road improvements near project sites and supplemental income opportunities for landowners, and said the project could create more than five full-time positions.
Chris Ryan of Gevo introduced that company’s operations, including the acquisition of Red Trail Energy in Richardton and projects to produce jet fuel from corn. Clay Norbaum of Zero6 Energy, a Gevo partner, described longer-term projects and characterized wind energy as a low-cost option for certain sites.
Separately, Steve Kemp of HydroBIND requested a county letter of support for a USDA Small Business Innovation Research grant to commercialize engineered proteins that extract minerals from produced water. The commission voted unanimously to provide a letter of support.
No formal permits, timelines beyond company estimates, or tax agreements were approved at the meeting; the presentations were introductory and informational.