Friends and neighbors,

A few weeks ago, I shared the story of Grand Meadow, which has been stuck with an enormous pile of wind turbine blades. In 2020, a wind energy developer replaced the blades at a nearby windfarm then left them in a vacant lot in town. The company that was supposed to recycle the blades folded, and Grand Meadow has been left with the mess. The pile has created a nuisance and a safety hazard. It is so big it can be seen on Google Earth.

Today I wanted to pass along some good news: After four years of aggravation for Grand Meadow residents, the company responsible has promised the Public Utilities Commission it will begin removing the wind turbine blades beginning next month.

I hope that other Minnesota communities learn from the Grand Meadow ordeal and proceed cautiously with these big alternative energy projects. There are real risks involved. Recycling the massive blades is complicated and challenging, and if responsibility is passed to small or inexperienced startups, other communities could find themselves in the same situation.

In the meantime, I am glad that the residents of Grand Meadow will finally be able to put this frustrating episode behind them.

God Bless,