LUVERNE, N.D. (Prairie Public Radio) – North Dakota’s Public Service Commission has approved Otter Tail Power Company’s plans to re-power a wind farm.

The Luverne Wind project is a 49.5 megawatt facility in Steele County, North Dakota. The utility plans to upgrade it to 52.8 megawatts.

Commissioner Julie Fedorchak says this will mean larger turbines and turbine blades. She says Otter Tail has worked with surrounding landowners, telling them what the plans are, and getting their OK.

PSC chairman Randy Christmann says the order in this case will be very important to landowners dealing with other wind farm re-powering.

The Commission says 10 North Dakota wind farms have re-powered, or are in the process of re-powering.