Future Wind Farm sets up shop in Kasson

As excitement continues to build over a large wind farm coming to Dodge County, the owner of the project has set up a local shop to educate the public about wind energy.
NextEra Energy Resources is based in Florida, but the company has opened an office at 107 Main St. in downtown Kasson. 
Project manager Mike Welch and other company representatives are working out of the office as NextEra gears up for proposed construction of the 71 wind turbine farm next spring. The project is currently in the public comment period as NextEra seeks approval from state regulators.
 “We like to have a place where people can come and get questions answered,” said Welch. He noted the office is generally staffed Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., but there are times when officials go out on appointments so they recommend people make appointments.
With many people becoming curious about the proposed project, Welch said it often leads to confusion and inaccurate information getting out. “We encourage people to reach out to us as we’re happy to provide accuracy,” he said. “We love for everyone to be informed.”
Welch said this is an important time for area residents to partner with NextEra and learn more about who they are. “It’s something new and we want to get people comfortable with us,” he said. 
The company has met with individual townships to reveal specifics about the project. But, Welch said, NextaEra recognizes not everyone can make it to those meetings. 
Welch said their greatest challenge is keeping the communities informed. He admits something new like this project often creates a certain amount of uneasiness with residents. “It’s a challenge to educate the communities and get them comfortable with what we’re doing,” he said.
NextEra plans to construct the wind turbines in eastern Steele County and western Dodge County south of Claremont. Most of the turbines would be located in Ripley Township. A small portion of Olmsted County is also involved in the project, as a substation would be built there. The project is known as Dodge County Wind Energy Center. 
The 71 turbines, according to NextEra, would produce the expected maximum capacity of up to 170 megawatts. Each turbine will be up to 88 meters tall from the ground to the hub in the center of the blades. The project is expected to cost around $300 million. 
Welch pointed out the project will provide employment opportunities locally and adds property taxes benefiting schools and local civic service. About 200 construction jobs will be needed to complete the project. Once the turbines are operational, up to 12 full-time jobs would be created.
“We’ve become a part of the community for at least 30 years,” Welch said. “We are unique in the way we do things. We take the time to get to know people. We have made the commitment to stay for the long haul.”
Once construction begins next spring or early summer, NextEra will close down the Kasson office and operate out of an operations building on the site. The actual construction date will depend on approval of the project from the Minnesota Public Utilities Commission. 
“We will always have a footprint where people can come and ask questions and communicate with us,” Welch said.