Stearns County Establishes Setbacks For Wind Turbines

ST. CLOUD -- Stearns County Commissioners have established the setback requirements for large wind turbines.

The turbines must be at least 500 feet from homes whose owners have signed agreements with the wind energy company.

And the turbines have to be at least 1,000 feet from homes whose owners are not participating in the wind project.

The company that plans to build the large wind conversion systems -- Geronimo Wind Energy -- received approval from the State Public Utilities Commission to build up to 60 turbines near Paynesville.