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Minn. Tribe To Dedicate Wind Turbine Plant

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Jul 9, 2009 8:51 am US/Central

Minn. Tribe To Dedicate Wind Turbine Plant

McGREGOR, Minn. (AP) ― The Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe is investing in a new type of wind turbine designed for use by homes and businesses.

On Thursday, tribal officials plan to dedicate a new manufacturing plant where workers will make a part for the Windspire. That's a vertical-axis wind turbine made by Reno, Nev.-based Mariah Power.

The parts will be assembled at MasTech Manufacturing LLC in Manistee, Mich.

Through its investment in Mariah Power, the Mille Lacs Band will be the exclusive distributor for any Indian reservation buying a Windspire turbine, which costs about $6,500.

A Windspire is 30 feet tall and spins on a vertical axis unlike the larger turbines seen on wind farms.

The reservation plans to use a Windspire turbine to power the District II Community Center in McGregor.
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Vertical turbines are said to be effective without needing to be pointed in the direction of wind.

(© 2009 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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