Pelican Lake (MN) 500' Wind Tower Project

***** NEW IMPORTANT UPDATES *****

This section will be used to post information about new and important updates (still continue to review the entire web site as this website is updated hourly as new information is received).

• 12/17/2017 Update:  Letter from Dunn Township regarding the cancellation of the wind tower project.
• 12/16/2017 Update: The Fargo Forum did a nice article today about the Pelican Lake Wind Turbine Cancellation.
• 12/14/2017 Update: Doug Winter (Clerk for Dunn Township), told me that the December 18th and 20th meetings are cancelled.  There is supposed to be a formal written notice on the Town Hall.  Glad this is over!  Michael Neustel
• 12/13/2017 Update:  *** WIND TOWER PROJECT CANCELED BY LREC***!!!  The Lake Region Electrical Cooperative just sent me a Letter stating that the wind tower “project will be cancelled, and the conditional use permit application pulled.”  This is wonderful news obviously!  I would like to thank Tim Thompson (CEO of LREC) and all of the Board Members at the Lake Region Electrical Cooperative for listening to the LREC Coop Members (YOU)!  Thank you also to everyone that voiced their concerns … this project had a 100% chance of approval without you!  See you on the lake next summer to enjoy the natural beauty of Pelican Lake!  Michael Neustel
• 12/13/2017 Update: Blowback Over Proposed Wind Turbine Near Pelican Lake (DL-Online 12/13/2017)
• 12/13/2017 Update: Email Received from Barry Funfar (brother of Pelican Lake resident) regarding his personal struggles with wind turbines (Dec. 13, 2017) and the Final Court Decision finding wind towers a nuisance (June 21, 2017).

About the 500′ Wind Tower Project

After being apparently recently voted down in December by Scambler Township (see Nov. 20, 2017 Minutes About Discussion) for the same wind tower project, Juhl Energy Inc. and Lake Region Electric Cooperative are now attempting to push through the same wind turbine project approximately 1 mile south of Broadwater Beach on Pelican Lake in Dunn Township (next door to Scambler Township).  On December 11, 2017, the Dunn Township quietly met with the public to discuss the wind turbine project.  Just 7 days later on December 18th, Dunn Township will hold a meeting so Juhl Energy can do a presentation about the project so we can learn about the lovely new 500′ Christmas tree Pelican Lake residents will have the privilege of seeing every day.  Then just 2 days later on December 20th, the Dunn Township Board  will vote on the project.  My understanding is the “benefit” for LREC Coop Members (YOU) to have the wind tower is a whopping $5/year savings on  their electric bill.

Why rush this project through in only 9 days when the public’s health, environment, property values and beauty of our lake are at risk – all apparently to save the LREC Coop Members (you) a whopping $5/year?  If enough people express their concerns, we can get the approval process slowed down so a real public debate can occur instead of ramming the project through with only 9 days of quiet meetings.

One major concern is that David Johnson is not only a Member of the Dunn Township Planning Commission and the Chairman of the Board for Dunn Township — David Johnson is also the land owner of the proposed wind tower site.  Another Dunn Township Board Member, Charles Kvare, is the Chair of Lake Region Electric Cooperative.  While both Johnson and Kvare will most likely be conflicted out of any vote, their influence on the remaining three Board Members (Dalman, Herseth and Seifert) cannot be underestimated.

Because two members are conflicted out (Johnson and Kvare), it is believed only three Dunn Board Members will be voting December 20th: Robert Dalman (218-863-8303), Ross Herseth (612-239-5945) and Duane Seifert (218-863-5379).  Also, LREC should be contacted as they are apparently taking the lead on proposing this project (contact Tim Thompson, the CEO of LREC, at 218-863-1171 or tthompson@lrec.coop).  Contact them today to express your concerns about how fast this project is being pushed through without an adequate investigation or sufficient public input … and that saving you $5/year isn’t worth it!

Past/Upcoming Events

• December 11, 2017 (Dunn Township Meeting) – A regular meeting where the Dunn Township met and possibly opened the meeting to the public for Q/A about the wind tower.  Because the meeting was “regular”, no notice was apparently required.
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• December 18, 2017 at 7 pm (Dunn Township Special Meeting) CANCELLED
  • Location: Dunn Town Hall, 47979 East Lake Lizzie Road, Pelican Rapids MN 56572
  • Topics/Agenda: No one knows since nothing is published by Dunn Township.
  • People Allowed to Speak: Juhl Energy Presenter and Juhl Energy says residents will be able to ask questions and state opinions.
    ————————————————————————————
    
• December 20, 2017 at Unknown Time (Dunn Township Special Meeting for FINAL VOTE)  CANCELLED
  • Location: Unknown
  • Topics/Agenda: It appears this Special Meeting will be where the three remaining Board Members vote on whether to allow the 500′ wind turbine to proceed.
  • People Allowed to Speak: Unknown

IMPORTANT DOCUMENTS

• Pelican Lake Wind Tower Proposal (Nov. 30, 2017) 
• Dunn Township Comprehensive Land Use Plan (2010?)
• Dunn Township Zoning Ordinance (Recorded Aug. 28, 2017)
• Map Showing Estimated Location of Wind Turbine
• Map Showing Dunn Township and Scambler Township
• Dunn Township Information at Otter Tail County

 
Problems with Dunn Township’s Process

• 2 Board Members Conflicts of Interest. The Dunn Township Board Chairman (David Johnson) is also the owner of the land where the 500′ wind tower will go (David Johnson is also on the Dunn Township Planning Commission).  Another Dunn Township Board Member (Charles Kvare) is the Chair of Lake Region Electric Cooperative.  While both Johnson and Kvare will most likely be conflicted out of any vote, their influence on the remaining three Board members is concerning.
• Limited Notice.  Limited notice/information about the December 11th/18th/20th meetings has been provided to the public, much less any information about the proposal other than what was privately acquired.  It is my current understanding a small announcement about the December 18th meeting was made in the Pelican Press Newspaper (it might qualify as the minimum legal notice required, but it is not real “notice” in my opinion on such an important/controversial project).
• Limited Public Information.  Interesting that the Dunn Township, Juhl Energy and LREC websites have no information about the 500′ wind turbine project other than a small article on the LREC website that I currently can find.  Why?
• No Independent Studies.  As currently understood, Dunn Township is not having any independent study performed to determine the feasibility of the project, health effects on nearby residents, impact on the beautiful lake area landscape, impact on wildlife, impact on the environment, affect on property values, dangers to airplane traffic (FAA) or to determine what the residents would even like.
• Meetings During Winter/Holidays.  Why did the Dunn Township wait until just a few days before Christmas to have these quick meetings when few lake residents are around and trying to enjoy the holidays?
• Only 9 Days of Quiet “Meetings”.  The Dunn Township will be holding 3 meetings over just 9 days about the wind turbine – hardly enough time for the public to know anything about the project must less oppose or give input.  Why?

 

WHO TO CONTACT ABOUT YOUR CONCERNS

It is important that all concerned residents contact the individuals below to slow down the approval process so the public can have time to give its input.  Be polite and respectful in your communications but don’t be afraid to express your legitimate concerns.  You should focus your efforts on contacting the three conflict-free Dunn Board Members that will be voting this December 20th: Robert Dalman (218-863-8303), Ross Herseth (612-239-5945) and Duane Seifert (218-863-5379).  Also, LREC should be contacted as they are apparently taking the lead on proposing this project — contact Tim Thompson, the CEO of LREC, at 218-863-1171 or tthompson@lrec.coop. Please act today to make a difference!

Lake Region Electric Cooperative (LREC)

Tim Thompson (CEO)
Email: tthompson@lrec.coop
Telephone: 218-863-1171
Board: LREC Board of Directors
Website: https://www.lrec.coop/ 

Dunn Township

Township Office: 47979 East Lake Lizzie Road, Pelican Rapids MN 56572
Township Office Hours:  Mondays 9:30 AM – 4:30 PM
Website: https://dunntownship.com/
Telephone: 218-863-2099
Township Email: dunntown@loretel.net