Alternative energy has been on many peoples’ minds for years. Some have focused on cheaper sources of energy, others have looked for cleaner energy, and most were searching for both.

While they’ve been probing for a solution to the problem of pollution and expensive energy, the answer might have been blowing in the wind.

National Wind, a company focused on sharing wind energy, has partnered with Lakes Country Wind Energy LLC of Meeker and Kandiyohi counties to build industrial-sized wind turbines in the area.

The process began when Gordon Behm of rural Atwater and other local farmers contacted National Wind about their interest in wind energy.

“We like the idea of a community-based project because it keeps local people involved,” Behm said of his interest in the company.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, National Wind currently has 15 wind development projects across the Midwest, all built around the same model as Lakes Country Wind Energy. Its goal is to bring expertise, financing and resources to landowners interested in wind energy on a professional, industrial scale.

In this report, National Wind studies the type of wind in the area, estimated how strong and consistent the wind is, looks at environmental concerns, checks local laws, talks with local utilities companies, and measures the interest of people in the area.

The next step in this process is to talk with local landowners to see who is interested in having wind turbines on their property, while trying to hit the windiest spots and ensuring they are environmentally safe, as well.

National Wind and LCWE hope area residents start seeing wind turbines pop up within the next three to five years, but they acknowledge that the process is both lengthy and expensive.

Read more about Lakes Country Wind Energy in the July 31 print edition.