geronimowindturbineBismarck (CSi) The North Dakota Public Service Commission has approved the proposed 150-megawatt wind farm in McIntosh and Dickey counties,on a split vote.

The ruling Wednesday was based on the information from an earlier hearing.

The plan is amended to use 75 2-megawatt turbines rather than 100 1.5-megawatt turbines that were included in the initial plan.

The Merricourt Wind Farm is being developed by San Diego-based EDF Renewable Energy, formerly known as enXco, which had received a site permit from the PSC in 2011 but had not constructed the wind farm.

Commissioners Brian Kalk and Julie Fedorchak voted in favor of the amended order approving the siting plan while Commissioner Randy Christmann opposed the certification.

EDF, received PSC approval of the project in 2011, when Xcel Energy had contracted to purchase the power.

Xcel canceled the contract and was sued by EDF. Xcel received a court ruling in its favor in 2013.