ND Regulators Approve New Salem Wind Project

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota regulators have approved a new 75.9-megawatt wind power project.

Minnesota Power wants to build 33 wind turbines north of New Salem, almost 30 miles west of Mandan.

North Dakota's Public Service Commission approved a construction permit for the project Tuesday.

The wind farm is near western North Dakota's coal-mining region, but Commissioner Tony Clark says there are no known lignite deposits within the project's area.

Clark says the wind project will include features meant to protect endangered whooping cranes. The turbine towers will be within a flight area used by whooping cranes when they move south for the winter.

Minnesota Power is a division of Duluth, Minn.-based Allete Inc. The company is also building a 22-mile power line to transmit electricity generated by the new wind farm.