Xcel fined over wind farm lighting

Xcel Energy has agreed to pay a $4500 fine because its missed the deadline for replacing the wind turbine lights at the Courtenay Wind Farm

The deadline to replace the existing blinking red lights with a radar-based “Aircraft Detection Lighting System” was Dec. 31^st, 2021.  Xcel had asked for an extension in mid-December, but the North Dakota Public Service Commission denied that request.

Commission chairman Julie Fedorchak says on Jan. 10^th, 2022, Xcel filed another status update reporting the lights were good to go.

Fedorchak says staff worked with the company on a “consent agreement” – under which Xcel agreed to pay $4500 in fines – an amount equal to $500 per day.

Commissioner Randy Christmann asked if the fine should have been more than that – because the wind farm was permitted back in 2013, and Xcel was aware of the 2021 deadline.

The Commission says there are two wind farms – Sunflower and Bison – that have not yet complied with the new lighting law.

NDPPR/KNOX