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Grand Forks County Imposes 90-Day Moratorium on Proposed Wind Farm Development

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

Grand Forks County Commission members voted unanimously to impose a 90-day moratorium on a proposed wind farm development near the border of Grand Forks and Nelson counties. The pause will allow the county to review potential national security concerns and adopt new zoning and planning ordinances. The development proposed by Whiskey Creek LLC has sparked controversy due to its location near Grand Forks Air Force Base and extensive Chinese investment in its parent company Engie SA.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Grand Forks County Commission imposed a 90-day moratorium on the proposed wind farm development to review potential national security concerns.
  • The development, proposed by Whiskey Creek LLC, is located near Grand Forks Air Force Base and has drawn controversy due to its proximity to the base.
  • The parent company of Whiskey Creek LLC, Engie SA, has 49% ownership from the Chinese Investment Corporation (CIC), a sovereign wealth fund with registered capital of $200 billion.
  • Whiskey Creek's status as a commerce investment project places it under the jurisdiction of the United States Committee on Foreign Investment (CFIUS), which will require a review and potential letter of recommendation from the Air Force.
  • The county will work on adopting new zoning and planning ordinances to address national security concerns and ensure that the development meets all necessary requirements.
  • The development is similar to a previous proposal by Fufeng Group, which ultimately fell apart when the Air Force declared it a national security risk.
  • The county has taken a cautious approach in light of the Fufeng project's history and the concerns raised by the Air Force.

Statistics:

  • 90 days: the duration of the moratorium imposed on the proposed wind farm development.
  • 49%: the percentage ownership of Engie SA held by the Chinese Investment Corporation (CIC).
  • $200 billion: the registered capital of the Chinese Investment Corporation (CIC).
  • 1: The number of conference calls held between Tom Ford, county director of administration, and Dan Burke, Department of the Air Force and Space Force, regarding the proposed development.

Sources:

  • "Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.)." (c)2023 the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.) Visit the Grand Forks Herald (Grand Forks, N.D.) at www.grandforksherald.com Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.

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