According to an article printed in the Bismarck Tribune today,  North Dakota is looking at regulations for dismantling wind turbines and their towers once they stop producing electricity.  Although it hasn’t been an issue in the state yet (most of North Dakota’s wind farms are relatively young), state officials want to be prepared for what could happen in a decade or so when the turbines don’t work as efficiently.

Included in those proposed regulations are provisions for returning the site to a pre-turbine condition.  That means even the concrete foundations would be removed and the quality of topsoil would be restored to pre-turbine conditions.  It’s a natural step for North Dakota to take as it looks down the road at long-term wind energy production.

I can’t help but be proud of North Dakota, again, for looking ahead.