windmillBISMARCK, N.D. (AP) – North Dakota’s Public Service Commission has approved a $350 million, 200 megawatt wind farm in the southeastern part of the state.
 
     The PSC approved Geronimo Energy’s Courtenay Wind Farm on Wednesday.  The commission’s action came after the company agreed to delete nine of the proposed 136 turbines from its plan after safety concerns were brought up by owners of a nearby crop-spraying business, at  public hearing on the project  July 12 in Jamestown.
 
     The crop sprayers worried that the turbines were too close to their private runway in Stutsman County.
 
     The entire project covers about 21,000 acres, or about 33 square miles. Developers hope to begin construction later this year, with completion done by late 2014.
 
     Xcel Energy Inc. has agreed to purchase all power produced from the wind farm.