Just Wind project has yet to start

The construction of the Just Wind project at Napoleon has yet to get under way more than a month after it missed a planned start date. Jeff Metzger, president of Just Wind, had announced a planned start of the third week of June at a meeting of the Stutsman County Commission on wind farm zoning on June 16.

“We have had two power transformers arrive,” Metzger said. “And we have seven truckloads of miscellaneous equipment in route.”

Metzger also said he was working on the logistics of moving the turbine structures to Napoleon and was meeting with Wanzek Construction concerning the start of construction.

Representatives of Wanzek Construction did not return calls seeking comment.

In June Metzger said a key part of moving the project forward was finalizing negotiations with the Western Area Power Administration for the sale of the electricity produced by the planned 153 turbines.

“Those negotiations are still continuing,” said Randy Wilkerson, public affairs officer for WAPA. “There is nothing negative or positive to report at this time.”

The Just Wind project at Napoleon anticipates erecting 42 turbines this year and 111 in 2010. The estimated cost of the project is $850 million.

The North Dakota Public Service Commission held a hearing on the project on Oct. 22, 2008, and issued a project authorization in the spring of 2009.

Sun reporter Keith Norman can be reached at (701) 952-8452 or by e-mail at knorman@jamestownsun.com

Tags: local news, just wind, news, napoleon