GF County wind farm moratorium to end

A moratorium on wind farms in Grand Forks County will be allowed to expire on September 24th.

The Grand Forks County Commission wrestled with whether to end the ban early after approving a series of zoning amendments for the turbines.

Although the county does not have any formal applications pending they have been approached by a proposed development known as Whiskey Creek – with some foreign investments.

States Attorney Haley Wamstad expressed concern with extending the moratorium without giving a specific reason.  “The liability to the county is greater the longer we are refusing to allow a certain business to conduct activity or at least accept an application.”

Commissioner Dave Engen  questioned how wind farms might impact the GFAFB and Grand Sky.  “One the permit process starts and they think they are going to build is it worse if it has to stop?”

County Administrator Tom Ford says any applicant would have to go through a rigorous vetting process.