Company behind wind farm project near Wishek discusses need for waiver

BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) - A company building a wind farm near Wishek met with the Public Service Commission again Thursday morning.

The Badger Wind Farm could feature 92 turbines across Logan and McIntosh Counties. The company said nine of them need a waiver from the PSC to use standard blinking lighting next to Wishek Airport. The other turbines use a different system that turns on in proximity to aircraft.

Officials with Orsted, the company behind the project, said denying the permit would limit its benefits.

“The project value overall would decrease approximately 60 million and 12 million less would be paid to local landowners directly,” said Nick Gebauer, senior development director with Orsted.

No impacted residents spoke on the matter.

Orsted said it hopes to have the farm operational by the end of the year.