COURTENAY, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – Xcel Energy has agreed to pay a $4500 fine because its missed the deadline for replacing the wind turbine lights at the Courtenay Wind Farm

The deadline to replace the existing blinking red lights with a radar-based “Aircraft Detection Lighting System” was Dec. 31st, 2021. Xcel had asked for an extension in mid-December, but the North Dakota Public Service Commission denied that request.

Commission chairman Julie Fedorchak says Xcel filed a “status update” Dec. 31st, which said the ADLS system was installed.

Fedorchak says the PSC sent Xcel a notice of violation. Then, on Jan. 10th, 2022, Xcel filed another status update.

Fedorchak says staff worked with the company on a “consent agreement” – under which Xcel agreed to pay $4500 in fines – an amount equal to $500 per day.

Commissioner Randy Christmann asked if the fine should have been more than that – because the wind farm was permitted back in 2013, and Xcel was aware of the 2021 deadline. But Fedorchak says she thought the fine was fair.

The Commission says there are two wind farms – Sunflower and Bison – that have not yet complied with the new lighting law.